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Record number of whale sightings and return of ‘extinct’ creature

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The region has seen a record number of whale sightings in 2022 along with the return of an ‘extinct’ river creature. According to Yorkshire Live, 80 minke whales – a record number – were spotted off the North Yorkshire coast by one of Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s observers. And white-clawed crayfish – previously thought extinct in Yorkshire – were found in a brook near Mytholmroyd.

The news may come as some consolation after another mass of dead sea creatures washed up on the coast south of the Tees in September. An independent panel of external experts will investigate the deaths of thousands of sea creatures that washed up on beaches at Redcar and Saltburn. READ MORE: War heroes’ remains were moved from North Yorkshire crash site – an inquest was told

The trust’s 2022 report includes the sighting of a breeding pair of rare black-wing stilts at Potteric Carr wetlands, near Doncaster. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (YWT) cares for 100 nature reserves including Flamborough Head and Adel Dam, near Leeds. YWT chief executive Rachael Bice said: “Yorkshire is home to some wonderful wildlife and wild places, some of it unique and all of it truly special.

We’re so proud to care for wildlife from the peatlands of the Dales right across to the marine wildlife of the North Sea, from rare bitterns, black-winged stilts, and water voles through to our more common hedgehogs, finches and seabirds. “We thank all our wonderful members, partners, visitors and volunteers for their ongoing support which has allowed us to make such a difference to our wildlife and wild places, even in hard times.” Other highlights for YWT in 2022 include:

  • An osprey – rare in Yorkshire – spent two weeks at Sprotbrough reserve, near Doncaster, in October, during her migration south back to Africa.

  • At Potteric Carr, marsh stitchwort was found on the reserve for the first time in 40 years.

    Willow emerald damselflies were spotted for the first time. The reserve now supports 905 species out of the 2,500 species of UK moths.

  • Yorkshire Peat Partnership has completed restoration plans for over 40,000 hectares (99,000 acres) – slightly larger than the Bradford Council area – of blanket bog in Yorkshire.

  • A pioneering partnership to restore 74 acres of seagrass meadow and reintroduce half a million oysters into the Humber has begun. The aim is to store large amounts of carbon and improve water quality.

  • Brown hare numbers may be on the rise in the Yorkshire Wolds, according to anecdotal evidence from farmers.

Rachael added: “We go into 2023 optimistic about our plans for a wilder Yorkshire, working with others, but it’s going to take joint action from the heart of our cities and towns to our uplands and coast, to strengthen our environment for the challenges ahead.”

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