1994 - Whitby Naturalists

WHITBY
NATI.]RALISTS'
CLTJB
Wbitby
gutrd:-elists'
ANNUAL REPORT
r994

President
Vice-President
Chairman
Mce-Chairman
Treasurer
General Secretary
Assistant Treasurer
Coach Organiser
Less Mobile Section Organiser
Committee Secretary
Librarian
Membership Secretary
Summer Programme Organiser
Wintcr Programme Organiser
Assistant Programme Organiser
Herbaria Keeper
Press Cuttings Keeper
Auditor
Retiring in 1995
Retiring in 1996
Retiring in 1997
Archaeology
Botany
Entomology
Geology
Mammals
Ornithology
Reptiles and Amphibia
THE CLUB'S OFFICERS FOR 1994
Committee
Recorders
The Marquis of Normanby
Mrs J P Butler
Mr P J Thornton
Mr E Butler
Mr F H Doughty
Mrs E, L Warnock (from September 3rd)
Mrs I Thackrah
Mr E Sellors
Mrs B Everest-Todd
Mrs K Davison
Mrs S Mott
Mrs V Q Dale
Mrs E I Hall
Mrs E Sellors
Dr F Molyneux
Mr P J Thornton
Mr M J Yates
Mrs K Leaf
Mr R Curtis
Mr E Addison
Miss B Barwick
Mrs J Cooke
Mrs D Atkinson
Mrs A Brewer
Mr H Holmes
Mrs J Cave
Mrs M A Moore
Mrs E L Warnock
Mr G Mott
Mr M J Yates
Mr P T Kelly
Mr P J Thornton
Mr J I Thackrah
Mr A Readman
Mrs S Robinson

THE CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS
The Club year has been busy and productive, with a full calendar of walks and
outings, coupled with a diversity of excellent lectures in the Kendall Room.
The Club offrcers and committee have met on six occasions since the last annual
meeting dealing with a wide-ranging agenda from the proposed waste water treatment
works at Whitehall to the arrangements for the social evening. The officers and
committee members have given of their best, and I thank them all for their
contributions.
A very necessary element of any learned society is the expertise of its recorders. The
Club is particularly fortunate in having a wide range of dedicated specialists not only
to record but, being present on our outings, to settle arguments on the finer points of
birds, beasts and flowers. I am still hopeful that the Club can secure the services of a
sea and shore life and a fungi specialist.
Since the Club rules were amended to remove the limit on numbers of members, the
membership has hovered around the 250 mark. New members are always welcome,
young or not so young. Enthusiasm for natural life and for the history and traditions of
the area are more important than the years one carries. The Club must adhere to its
principle of prospective members being proposed and seconded by existing members in
good standing, who must be prepared to introduce the new member. They have a very
real responsibility in this matter.
The town of Whitby and its surroundings have, I think, never been more popular with
visitors due, in part, to the featuring of Whitby and Goathland in the television series
"Heartbeat". Some of our members have even been observed in crowd scenes. The
advent in the not-too-distant future ofthe great plan for the Abbey and its surroundings
is eagerly awaited, as the Club had some say in the initial consultation and planning.
A strategy for the Whitby to Scarborough railbed, with issues and options, has been
published, and I have presented a submission for the Club.
No club can adequately function without the active participation of its members,
although at times the lower numbers present on some of the outings have given rise for
concern. But the Club is fortunate in having an enthusiastic membership, which I
greatly appreciate, as do visiting speakers.

Finally, let us think of those members who have died during the year, or who are
seriously ill at home or in hospital. Even though we stand in silence for a moment at the
annual meeting, they are always in our thoughts.
THE TREASURER'S REPORT
Peter J. Thornton
Members would read in the last annual report that Mr Doughty announced his
intention to resign at the annual meeting, but at the September committee meeting he
had to resign because of failing eyesight. I volunteered to take over his position as
treasurer, so I hope I can do justice to the position. On your behalf I would like to thank
him for his loyal work over the past nine years.
We ended 1994 with 218 paid-up members against 236in 1993. Members in default
will be excluded under Rule 4b.
Expenses were slightly down, which gives us a healthy balance of f,585.24 to begin 1995.
On behalf of the committee and members I would like to thank our vice-president,
Mrs Janet Butler, for her generous donation to pay for the last annual report.
At the last annual meeting it was agreed to increase the subscription to t5. Will
members please pay as soon as possible ?
Grateful thanks must go to Mr Roy Curtis, who kindly agreed to audit these accounts.
THE SECRETARY'S REPORT
Effie L Warnock
It has been another successful year for the Club. The lectures have generally been
well attended, and the outings, by all accounts, appear to have been successful although
numbers seem to be declining. Apart f'rom rather a wet spring the weather for the

outings was very good, and it is difficult to know the reason for the decrease. Perhaps
someone may have what they think might be the answer. If so, please let me know.
About half-way through the year the committee received the resignation, because of
ill-health, of our treasurer, Frank Doughty, and our thanks are due to him for his
services in managing our financial affairs over a period of nine years. After some
consideration about the appointment of a successor, the committee was pleased to
accept the offer of Mrs E Warnock to take over this duty.
I should like to thank the former secretary, Margaret Moore, for handing over all the
secretarial documentation in such good order, coupled with her help and guidance to
make the chanse-over so smooth.
We are still without two recorders - those for fungi and the marine lif'e of the sea
shore. If anyone feels able to cover either of these subjects please let me know.
New members may be interested to know that several magazines are available on a
circulation basis. Anyone who is interested in being put on the list should contact the
vice-chairman, Mr E Butler.
Finally, may I thank all members of the committee, and recorders, for their efforts in
making the past year so successful.
THE LIBRARIAN'S REPORT
Ina Thackrah
Whether books get better and better is debatable. Certainly they seem to get bigger
and bigger. Because of this, and the limited space at our disposal, it has been necessary
to reorganise the library yet again. Geological specimens, display aids and
miscellaneous objects have been moved to base cupboard 'A". Aerial photographs,
slides of standing stones and miscellaneous photographs are now in cupboard "B",
while our ageing projector, extension lead, etc., etc., are now in cupboard "C".
Rare and priceless books are now in A7-81, under lock and key. This does not mean

that members are denied access, but that it is necessary to ring me on 0723 353897, or
leave a note on the "returned books" shelf, if any of these are required for research.
So far as possible the various sections have been left undisturbed, but oversize books
from all sections are now on shelfsix. So please, ifyou are looking for aparticular book
and cannot find it, check this shelf.
During the year 20 new books were added to your library, covering many subjects.
Once again we are deeply indebted to our chairman, Peter Thornton, for his
generosity, and to Mr and Mrs E Addison, Mrs M E Hill, Mrs M McMillan and Mrs S
Robinson for their donations.
As always, I am not happy with the number of books borrowed during the year. The
Kendall Room and our Library are open to all members of the Whitby Naturalists'
Club, and it would be heartening if more members took advantage of this privilege.
Any ideas to stimulate interest or improve the choice of books and service would be
most welcome. Cards for members' suggestions are on the index and register shelf.
Good readins.
THE MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY'S REPORT
We began 1994 with 255 members.
Vera O. Dale
During the year there were 18 resignations and, sadly, 10 members died, including
our president, Lord Normanby. We are very grateful to the new Marquis, who has
kindly agreed to take his place. The others who died were Mr and Mrs E T Davis, Mr
G Robinson, Mrs K Thomson, Mr J B Holmes, Miss A Potts, Mr C Vasey, Mr A Young
amd Mr A Cowen. They are greatly missed.
We have enrolled 14 new members, so the current membership is 241 .
Bettv Hall

THE ORNITHOLOGICAL REPORT
On December llth 1993 a lone Waxwing was seen near Bog Hall Railway Crossing.
It stayed for five days, and allowed a close view of about three feet. It was one of the
tamest I have ever seen.
A Little Owl could often be seen on the cliff top near Saltwick. In January Peregrines
were reported at Ruswarp, Saltwick and Stainsacre, with Merlins at Hawsker and Airy Hill.
A Red Necked Grebe spent a few days in the harbour before moving on to Scaling
Dam. A first winter Iceland Gull was on Tate Hill on February lst, but it soon moved
on. A Little Auk was found on the road at Robin Hood's Bay on February l5th. It was
taken to Tony McCarthy's bird sanctuary. Early March saw quite a lot of Stonechats in
the district. The adult Glaucous Gull that wintered on Tate Hill was last seen on April
6th, and the Mediterranean Gull at Saltwick on April l5th. Mrs M Moore reported a
Golden Plover on the golf course on May lst. This was a rather late "sighting" as most
plovers were already nesting on the moors.
On May 8th Mr and Mrs Eric Addison, and myself, had very close views of Dotterel
at Rosedale. (Guess who did not take his camera?).
Bad weather in late May grounded many migrants. There were three Red-Spotted
Bluethroats at Hawsker, an Icterine Warbler in Pannett's Park and Red-Backed Shrikes
at Hawsker and Ruswarp. On May 28th a Bee Eater flew in off the sea south of
Saltwick, and later spent two hours at Robin Hood's Bay.
The summer was rather quiet. Most birds nested successfully, although Long-Tailed
Tits once again suffered through predation. A pair of Sparrow Hawks raised two young
in a small wood above Spital Beck, and could often be seen hunting around the Green
Lane estate, and for the first time in a great many years the swans on the river were
successful in rearing three cygnets.
There were three Black Guillemot at Saltwick on July 15th. This is a bird more often
seen on the west coast. The adult Mediterranean Gull returned to Saltwick on July l6th,
rather earlier than usual.
Wader passage in the autumn was rather light. Nine Whimbrel at Saltwick and three

Ruff at Ruswarp were the best counts. A short spell of easterly winds brought many rare
migrants to the district: Yellow Browed Warblers to Whitby, Upgang and Hawsker:
Richard's Pipit and Little Bunting near the foghorn: Pallas's Warbler and Rosefinch at
Hawsker. There were also Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, and a f-ew
Wrynecks. There were two Pale Bellied Brent Geese at Saltwick. Normally we get only
the dark type around here.
Late Swallows were seen on November 2nd and lOth, with House Martins on the Sth
and l7th, and a Common Buzzard over Ruswarp on November 16th and another at
Upgang on the 2lst. Two much rarer Rough-Legged Buzzards were at Commondale on
the 21th. Twenty-three Shore Larks were reported at Port Mulgrave on the same day.
A few Snow Bunting have been seen on the gest Cliff, along with a small flock of Twite.
Earlier in the year I took a ring from a dead Heron. It was ringed as a nestling in May
1991 at Parnu in Estonia, a distance of 1,597 kilometres. A juvenile Blackcap, caught
near the fog horn, had been ringed in Denmark. The adult Glaucous Gull in now back
at Tate Hill beach for its sixth successive winter.
THE ARCHAEOLOGY REPORT
Alan Readman
An ancient arch has been discovered in one of Whitby's oldest buildings. It is set in
a stone wall and, most likely, it dates from the 14th century. Although its style runs from
the llth century, at some stage it was bricked up, blocking a connection with the
property next door. A section at the top of the arch had been removed to make a
chimney passage-way, which has now been restored to complete the curve. The listed
building stands on the south side of the Market Place, and was formerly Dyson's shop.
The earliest reference to a house on the site is 1595, but records show that a Chapel of
Rest stood on the site. It is believed to have been converted to a private dwelling after
the Reformation.
Prior to the building of a new visitors' centre at Abbey Lands Farm, English Heritage
has carried out an aerial survey and a rescue dig. A stone wall was found in a ditch

alongside a farm track. The foundations of the wall were on a bank which, in turn, stood
in a lO-metre-wide ditch, filled with glacial boulders. There is no date for this, but it
could be evidence for an Iron Age promontory fort. If this is so then one could visualise
a sequence of a fort and a Roman signal station, fbllowed by the Saxon monastery,
leading up to the medieval monastery of today. The wall, therefore, would be the
southern boundary of the old monastic precinct.
As part of the new visitors' centre, the Borough Council, in association with English
Heritage, has constructed a new flight of steps from Church Street to Aelfleda Tenace. The
main part of this work was carried out in the spring of 1994, and was observed by Mr R
Annis of Cleveland County archaeology section. The final upper part across the scarp of
the cliff, and Donkey Field, was to have been excavated by English Heritage, but in the
event this could not be arranged. English Heritage agreed to the work being carried out
providing there was a watching brief, as the whole of this area is archaeologically sensitive.
A series of Anglican finds were recovered from the cliff slope below Alms House Close in
the last century (White 1984). They were in ledges, nooks and crannies in the irregular cliff,
and seemed to accumulate at the base to a depth of two metres. The discoveries were made
when a series of properties, yards and steps were built in the period 1855-75. (Annis 1994).
The Anglian finds have been interpreted as midden material, tipped over the cliff
fiom the east, from the monastic area about 150 metres to the north-east. lt was hoped
that more finds would be discovered in the construction of the lower steps, as the
properties set into the cliff had long since been derelict and overgrown. All that was
found, however, were some medieval sherds in disturbed ground.
On the east side of the steps the rock of the cliff can be seen in places - a laminated
orange-brown shale. At one point it extends upwards to a metre below the grass edge of
Alms House Close. There is, thus, at least that much deposit in Donkey Field, but it
seems likely that as the wall to the east is approached this depth could increase. The wall
is the boundary for Abbey House, the Youth Hostel, and an area of allotments. The
central part is massive, of large stone with buttresses. It could be lTth century, or
earlier.
Emeritus Professor Philip Rahtz conducted the watching brief on the upper part of the
steps during two days in August 1994.It was soon evident that all the material being
removed down to a depth of 50 centimetres was "made" ground of no great age, with

19th century domestic debris among it, such as clay, tile, pipe, slate, brick mortar, metal
and stones up to 30 cantimetres. This work was uninfbrmative, except that it showed
that ancient levels are safe from superficial disturbances. It seems possible that the
Anglian monastery extended right to the edge of the cliff, and that parts of it lie below
Almshouse Close. Such similar establishments that have been excavated elsewhere
Iona, Whithorn, Jarrow, Wearmouth and Hartlepool, are very extensive and often much
more extensive than their medieval successors.
It has recently been suggested by Alan Thacker (1992) that even the whole area ofSt.
Mary's Church and churchyard were part of the Anglo-Saxon complex, and that St.
Mary's was a separate parochial church in the monastery.
If the substantial walls bounding Almshouse Close to the east do reflect the western
boundary of the medieval abbey complex, then any Anglian remains under the field will
be largely undisturbed, in comparison to those further east, and thus of enhanced
potential. Fortunately, the whole of Almshouse Close (and the equally high potential
allotments) are within the scheduled area as recently revised. They should be conserved
as a resource of high quality archaeological value.
Notes from a lecture by Graham Lee, National Park Archaeologist (24.8.1994) :
The Royal Commission has been reviewing the date of the 'Roman
Road' on Wheeldale Moor. The condition of the road has improved since
the grass on it has been allowed to remain - constant removal was, in fact,
causing damage rather than preserving the site.
Two of our prehistoric sites are being endangered, due to erosion and
damage by mountain bikers. National Parks are hoping to carry out
preservation work on Danby Beacon Bronze Age barrow, and the dykes
on the Hole of Horcum.
Excavations on Danby Rigg :
Dr A Harding's work is due to appear in the Archaeological Journal
next year. He also hopes to write a good book or leaflet for popular usage.
Geoff Mott

THE BOTANIC REPORT
The summer weather of 1994 was very different from the wetness of 1993, with some
area in the south of England reporting I I consecutive weeks without a drop of rain.
However, in our area the plants made a good start in a cool spring, and flower numbers
were generally good.
Our outing to Rosedale was memorable for a variety of flowers starting with the Sweet
Cicely (Mynhis odorata) with its lovely aniseed scent given off when the leaves are
crushed, but otherwise looking quite like its more common cousin Cow Parsley
(Anthryscus sylvestris). Marsh Molet (Viola palustris) was easily recognised in
Northdale by its pale lilac flower and rather fleshy rounded leaves compared to any of
the other common violets. On the edge of the moor we found another rarish old friend,
Climbing Corydalis (Ceratocapnos claviculata) with its tiny white flowers and straggling
foliage, but by the side of the stream on the return to Rosedale a plant was found which
was new to quite a few of our members, the Large White Bittercress (Cardamine amara).
This is quite like its sister the Cuckoo Flower or Lady's Smock, except that its petals are
pure white and its stamens are purple instead of the yellow of the more common species.
There were two outings to Dalby Forest available to our members this year; one with
the Yorkshire Naturalists Union, and again when our Club visited in its own right. The
botanists with the Y.N.U. went deep into the Alder Carr and found new sites for both
Herb Paris (Paris quadrifolia) and the Large Meadow-rue (Thalictrum flavum). These
plants were too difficult to see when we visited, but I did show members the very
sensitive areas closer to the road where we were lucky to see the rare Mountain
Everlasting (Antenaria dioica) and the even rarer narrow-leaved Marsh Orchid
(Dactylorchis traunsteinerii) without risking any damage to these precious sites.
On my walk in the Rievaulx area we saw some of the classic rare plants of that
district, such as the Baneberry (Actaea spicata) and the Woolly Thistle (Cirsium
eriophorum). The few who walked back to Helmsley also saw an unusual plant which
can occur in limestone areas, the Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) which in
olden times was used both as a poison and by ladies to make the pupils of their eyes
dilate and so increase their beauty. This is indicated by the species name of belladonna,
which translates as beautiful ladv.
Understanding the meaning of the scientific names can be very helpful in botany, and

especially in the study of the 'critical' genera which is my project for the nexr few
years, and which includes the Brambles and Hawkweeds. Rubus dasyphyllus is one of
the few very common brambles in England, and the species name means thick-leaved,
which it is, although it is also recognisable by the many prickles and pricklets on its
stem. Similarly, I have been finding Rubus vestitus in our moorland valleys, a name
where vestitus means 'clothed' and refers to the thick covering of soft hairs on the back
of the leaf; although this plant is again recognisable by other factors such as the pink
flowers and especially the very pink stamens. A rare plant, the Hawkweed (Hieraceum
oistophyllum), can only be seen in great numbers in the valley of Kirkdale about a
half-mile above St. Gregory's Minster. Oistophyllum means with a leaf like an
arrow-head and, if from the Latin, would be sagittifolia, but it comes in fact from the
ancient Greek word for an arrow, 'oistos'. A classicist told me this was pronounced,
O-istos, and not as a diphthong, which took me back to my Whitby Grammar School
days with the late Miss Mills and Mr Davies (Ipe, to his admiring pupils) who used ro
grind such long-lost grammar into our heads.
The Government's demand for farmers to create 'set-aside fields' produced two of
my favourite botanic finds of the yeaq both in the Hackness area. one was the
Fine-leaved Fumitory (Fumaria parviflora) and the other Pale st. John's-wort
(Hypericum montanum) in a similar field nearby. Both were new plants for Nan Sykes'
records for the National Park, and it is possible there is a good seed bank in the fields
in that area. Access to such 'set-aside' areas is only possible with the farmer's
permission, so it is likely that a few records are being missed.
I have had some excellent fern records shown to me this year by a botanist living in
Egton Bridge, Mr K Trewren. He has refound the site of the Hay-scented Buckler-fern
(Dryopteris aemula) in Goathland, last seen about 20 years ago. He showed me three
plants of this fern, and we also went on to see other unrecorded sites for the Oak Fern
(Gymnocarpium dryopteris) and the Beech Fern (Phegopteris connectillus) in the same
valley. Records for the Hay-scented Buckler fern were made in Cockmill Woods in the
late 1800's and Mr Trewren had also refound a couple of tiny plants in these woods
which we recently went to look at. During our search for these, we found another five
plants in one site, thus doubling the known population for North Yorkshire and Wales.
It was a superb ending to our year.
Mike Yates

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT DECEMBER 31st, 1994
BALANCE SIIEET
1993
l 993
s0.00
944.00
50.00
45.14
20.00
96.00
25.03
3.50
RECEIPTS
RECEIPTS
Balance at Bank l/l/94
Subscriptions
Transfer from Leeds PB.S.
Balance Social Evening
Donation-MrsJPButler
Donations - Non-Members
Balance summer outings
Leeds P.B.S. Interest
Reconciliation
Bank
Leeds [nt.
BALANCE
Leeds P.B.S.
Nat West C/A
LIBRARY ACCOUNT
Transfer from General Account
Nat/West
Cheques not presented to bank
00354 C-T.L.H. Soc.
00365 C.T.L.H. Soc.
00373 Dr. Pearson
00378 Tree Aid
BALANCE I.I-95
T.S.B- Cunent Account
r994
252.r8
8-12.00
25.00
45.75
155.00
19.00
7'7.50
22.43
9.00
3.00
5.00
20.00
Total 1505.86
Less Payments 898.19
585.24
/L.+J
6U.67
60't.67
1243.80
252.18
1495.98
1994
50.00
31.18
81.18

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT DECEMBER 31st. 1994
1r3.00
t23.22
290.48
157.00
100.00
50.00
60.00
16.58
7.50
15.00
8.23
8.40
4.00
100.00
50.00
6.20
BALANCE SHEET
PAYMENTS
Subscriptions to other societies
Printing and Duplicating
Annual Report (Paid for by Mrs Butler)
Lecture Fees and Travel Expenses
Insurance
Transfer to Library Account
Presentation and Sundries
Winter Programme Organiser Exp.
Summer Programme Organiser Exp.
Membership Secretary Exp.
Summer Coach Float
Sundries Envelopes
Sundries Donation
Sundries Donation
Library Keys and Lock
Treasurer's Expenses
Secretary's Expenses
Mr A Cooke (Refund)
Whitby Lit. & Phil. (Chair Repain)
Whitby Lit. & Phil. (Thermostat)
Postage Annual Report
BALANCE 3I/12/94
Leeds P.B.S.
Nat West C/A
1993 PAYMENTS
LIBRARY ACCOUNT
33.89 Books purchased
Balance as per Book
BALANCE 3I/12/94
T.S.B. Current Account
Total
cheque 00034 nor presented to Bank
E.L. Warnock, Hon. Treasurer - R. Curtis, Hon. Auditor
1994
I r 3.50
I 15.15
155.00
180.00
150.00
50.00
60.00
10.50
4.50
7.00
l-5.00
t2.44
10.00
5.10
10.00
898. l 9
t240.05
585.24
1825.29
1994
73.00
8.1 8
20.1 8
t2.00
8.r8

TIIE GEOLOGICAL RECORDER'S REPORT
Two items of particular interest featured on television and in the national press were
the discovery in the clifT between Long Bight and Saltwick Nab of the skeleton of a
fbssil liassic crocodile "Teleosaurus" by a group of Sheffield University geologists.
Apparently the skeleton was almost complete, including an excellently preserved skull.
It will go to the Yorkshire Museum.
The other items which attracted media attention, following the Holbeck Hall slide, is
the instability on the Haggerslythe. This is anything but a new occurrence, as the
collapse of houses, of a small coastal defence gunsite, and of a Methodist Chapel have
been well documented over the last two centuries. The problem here was, as always, in
the building of property on an unstable stratum of soil, clay, gravel and the detritus of
the line-baiting industry (mussel shells). All this has accumulated over the centuries on
the shelf formed above the outcrop of the Dogger ironstone dipping into the harbour
floor near Tate Hill Pier.
Virtually all the outings this summer had a geological element, from the craggy
masses near Hadrian's Wall, the glacial moraines between Stonegate and Fryup, and the
enchantment of the Hole of Horcum with its attendant limestone sriffs.
The geology of an area is its very skeleton, on which the sinews and flesh of history
past, and the present, are built.
THE MAMMAL RECORDER'S REPORT
Peter J. Thornton
So far as I have been able to ascertain, the Club, in its long history, has never had a
mammal recorder. And that, considering our area of coast, moor, river valley and
woodland. is perhaps surprising.
As this is my first report I confess to being a little surprised that so few reports
from a membership of 250 or thereabouts have been submitted. Admittedly animals
are not always easy to discern but, fortunately, they are there, or most of them at any

ate. It is just a question of being in the right place at the right time, as it is with all
natural history subjects that move. The difficulty is that several species usually are
observable only at dawn and dusk, and a few roam around only during the hours of
darkness.
From my observation point overlooking The Cans I am privileged to have a
grandstand view without going out of the house. Sadly, 1994 will almost certainly be
the last year when this will be possible, because the rough land on and over which so
much of interest can be seen is, more than likely, to be developed, thereby destroying
yet another part of our countryside in the interests of mammon.
Badger (Meles meles) : It is pleasing to be able to report that the biggest danger to
badgers does not seem to be from diggers but from road traffic and, regrettably,
several have been killed that way. Suburban gardens have had visitors, but probably the
most unusual sightings were late at night in Baxtergate and Church Street.
Bats : These creatures do not seem to be around in any great numbers, but from time
to time pipistrelles (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) have been seen hunting over The Carrs,
and there is at least one colony of common long-eared (Plecotus auritus) in the valley's
middle reaches. Bats have been reported in flight over the old railway track close to
town, and at Boggle Hole there was a roost in the roof of a bungalow.
Fox (Vulpes vulpes) : These animals are reasonably common, and I have seen and
heard them barking and screaming on The Carrs. One report was a sighting of three of
them crossing the A169 near Featherbed Lane at Sleights, and another near the village
centre. They were no doubt living up to their reputation as scavengers.
Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) : A common animal in woodland areas in the
valley and Mulgrave Woods.
Brown hare (Lepus capensis) : The species appears to have a scarcity value in this
area. I haven't received a single report, and the only ones I have seen myself were a long
way from here.
Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) : Only one report of hedgehogs has been received.
This was from the Castle Park area, where the underside of a garden shed was chosen
as a residence. Fortunatelv the soecies must be about. althoush it is sad to have this

confirmed by the sight of road casualties. I have seen only one live one, at the top of
Can Hill Lane.
Mole (Talpa europaea) : As a mole's life is spent mostly underground, its numbers
can be judged only by the presence or otherwise of molehills. Using this criterion, it is
very obvious that there are plenty about, even if unseen.
Otter (Lutra lutra) : This is one of Britain's rarest mammals, so we in these parts
should consider ourselves privileged to have them back in the Derwent and Esk
Valleys. Up to now their presence is rather tenuous, but at least a bridgehead has
been established, and given time they should prosper. They are easily confused with
mink (Mustela vison) but at least some otter sightings can, I believe, be taken as
correct.
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) : No scarcity problems in this case; perhaps too
much in the opposite direction, but nevertheless it is nice to see them up and down the
valley.
Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) : These are frequent visitors to The Carrs, and can
be seen browsing, leaping and running usually two or three times a week. I have
observed them in varying numbers from one to five, and they can be seen not
infrequently during a quiet walk in woodland such as Dalby Forest and Mulgrave
Woods. They have also been seen on more than one occasion crossing the A169 near
Featherbed Lane at Sleights.
Stoat (Mustela erminea) : These do not present themselves to view very frequently,
but I had a splendid sighting of one leisurely crossing my lawn on the flrst day of spring,
probably having been on a hunting trip in the adjoining fields where small mammals are
not in short supply.
Weasel (Mustela nivalis) : I suspect most people will observe weasel crossing roads
in front of their car, and I believe them to be quite common. I have received a report of
one seen crossing the golf course carrying a mouse.
Small mammals : are difficult to identify unless trapped or found dead. A live house
mouse (Mus musculus) and a dead wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) were found in
my garden, and what I suspect was a bank vole (Clethrionomys glareolus) was seen

crossing Glen Esk road. I have not had any reports of these elusive creatures, perhaps
because of identifrcation problems.
Marine mammals : I have heard of dolphins, probably bottle-nosed (Tursiops
truncatus), being seen off Sandsend, and a pair of seals in the upper harbour. To hazard
a guess at the species would be unwise, because we are situated about half-way between
breeding colonies of grey seals (Halichoerus grypus) on the Farne Islands and common
seals (Phoca vitulina) around the Wash.
So far as I am aware the dead whale washed up north of Robin Hood's Bay has not
been identified, apparently due to all the creature's teeth having been stolen by
sightseers. I understand a whale's identity can be established by examination of its
teeth, so confirming its identity in this case might be difficult, but it is likely to have
been a sperm whale (Physeter cathodon).
Many thanks to all those who have communicated their observations to me. They are
much appreciated.
THE AMPHIBIAN AND REPTILE REPORT
Ian Thackrah
The first year of recording local amphibians and reptiles was most encouraging.
Members were very helpful in passing on observations from their own gardens and
from the countryside.
We do not yet have enough information to see if Whitby fits the national picture, but
we do seem to have fewer sightings from the open countryside, especially on high
ground, with more sightings from garden ponds and damp areas near houses.
Compost heaps seem to be a favourite home fbr many of these animals, and they
certainly pay their rent by eating hordes of creatures which we call garden pests.
Most records were of fiogs and toads, with a few newts and slow-worms, one lizard
and, unfbrtunately, only one adder"

Records which could be given a national grid reference have been sent to the
Biological Records Centre at Monks Wood, Cambridgeshire. It is not too late to add to
these if members have any sightings to report, and, especially of lizards or adders.
THE LESS MOBILE SECTION
Again we had three excellent outings and again we had fine weather.
Svlvia J Robinson
The first outing was to Ravenscar in the minibus driven by Frank Molyneux, along
with three cars. We met at the Raven Hall gates, and Frank discussed the geology of the
district and the plans for its development in the early years of the century into a
housing and holiday centre. But the plans did not materialise and Ravenscar became the
town that never was.
The party visited the National Trust centre and saw the local sea life and aquarium,
while some of us walked round the gardens of the Raven Hall Hotel, with tea later in a
small cafe in the old railway station, which was part of the now-disused coastal line
between Whitby and Scarborough.
For the second outing Frank drove the Whitby School bus, with 15 members
aboard. We went through Thornton Dale to Wydale Hall, where we were shown
round the house and gardens, once owned by the Cayley family, but now part of
the York Anglican Diocese. In tiont of the house is an old copper beech tree with
a stairway called "Jacob's Ladder" carved up the trunk and leading to a platform
with doors. It was carved by a Mr Welbourn, of Sunderland and it is a spectacular
sight.
We later drove to Gallows Hill at Brompton-by-Sawdon. It is a cafe and craft
shop with connections with the poet Wordsworth. The house was the home of
Mary Hutchinson, who married Wordsworth in Brompton Church in 1800. A
medieval barn has been converted into an art gallery, craft shop, and cafe. We
drove home through Forge Valley and Harwood Dale and over the moor where the
heather was just coming into flower.

our third outing, again with Frank as the driver, was first to Egton Bridge, where we
viewed the new stone bridge over the river Esk. This three-arch bridge has been built in
the original pattern of the one swept away in the floods of 1930.
We then drove over the moors overlooking Glaisdale to Danby, with magnificent
views, to enjoy tea at the moors centre, returning home via the Guisborough Road and
Sandsend.
We all thank Frank wamrly for arranging the outings and hope to meet again next
year.
THE SUMMER WALKS
Kathleen Davison
I am pleased to report another season of interesting outings, even though
unfortunately on many occasions we were few in number. This was disappointing, as
the leaders put a great deal of research and time into preparation of the walks.
Again we had three full days out, taking us further afield. All were suitable for the
less energetic, as members were at liberty to follow their own interests. We walked in
the paths of the Romans, visited two memorials to the Cistercian way of life, and
marvelled at the many industries in the area, of which, sadly only a few traces now
remain of once hardworkins communities.
The weather in general was kind, and the views on many occasions were
breathtaking. Plants and wild flowers of which we found many uncommon varieties,
were discovered; butterflies and dragonflies were a delight to watch; and on a later walk
the beautiful colours and shapes of numerous fungi provided much interest.
Unfortunately, for the first time in living memory, one outing had to be cancelled
because of a logistic misunderstanding. Even then, some members set off on their own
mini-excursions.
I thank all the leaders fbr their eftbrts in making the outings so enjoyable; and I

extend thanks to the coach drivers for safe journeys. May I, finally, appeal to members
to join our outings and enjoy the beautiful countryside we visit each week during the
spring and summer.
WINTER PROGRAMME NOTES
Molly Sellors
Once more the winter programme resulted from a happy combination of new
speakers and the continuing willingness of members to share their interests and
experiences. The link with travel and landscape remained strong. Our three opening
speakers took us half-way round the world, along the length of the Esk and from
Bempton Cliffs to Bass Rock. Conservation remained an important theme,
embracing Paul Willett's cautionary tale of the Barn Owl's decline; Graham
Megson's review of wildlife protection in East Cleveland; and Lesley Helliwell's
expert account of the struggles of our bat population. In January and February Eric
Addison, Mike Yates, Peter Townend and, as ever, our chairman demonstrated the
range of expertise within the Club. Gary Davies' account of the local environmental
enquiries pursued by his geography students at Whitby Community College offered
a reminder of the vast potential interest in natural history within the area's younger
generation.
Again one acknowledges with gratitude the help of old friends in contributing to
the programme and in recommending speakers. It is hoped that our many new
members enjoying the lectures will not hesitate to do likewise.
THE ORIGINS OF WHITBY JET
Frank Molyneux
Much has been written on the social history and production of the jet jewellery and
ornaments centred in Whitby town. I would not presume to emulate Mabel McMillan's

scholarly work on this aspect ofjet. Instead I wish to concentrate on the origins of jet
as a mineral, where it was sought and, most interesting for myself as a mining man, how
it was won from the rock surroundins it.
Fossil wood is common throughout the strata classified as Liassic, Upper Middle
and Lower of the Jurassic period, but only within the fissile bituminous mudstones of
the Jet Rock is it workable as commercial jet. Jet occurs as scattered masses known as
planks in the beds between the Top Jet Dogger, a hard clayey limestone, and the
well-named Cannon Ball Doggers. This approximates to seven metres thickness of
potentially workable ground. The planks, however, are sporadic in occurrence, being
the delignified compressed trunks of trees similar to the present-day Araucarian or
Chile Pine, better known as the Monkey Puzzle tree. Occasionally partially
compressed trunks are found where the centre of the trunk has been infilled with stony
material. Usually useless for commercial purposes, this is known as cored or spindle
jet. As the trunks floated away from some distant forest before being waterlogged and
sinking to the sea floor, root systems are not found, as happens in the soft jet deposits
of the Deltaic or Estuarine sandstones. Branches are also absent, but if one studies
Chile Pines today, such as the fine one on Ruswarp Bank, it can be seen that branches
are short and soon drop ofT.
The jet itself is basically a coal. It will light quite easily, burning with a smoky
aromatic flame. Never test jewellery this way! The individual beds within the Jet Rock
member consist of a series of bituminous silty mudstones, interspersed with bands of
calcareous nodules, some of which are of considerable size.
The bands of Doggers from the top downwards are :
l. The Millstones: large discoidal limestone doggers up to 4.5 metres across, set in
the top of the Top Jet Dogger. These are to be seen on a very low tide at Sandsend Ness
and the South Batts in Saltwick Bay.
2. The Top Jet Dogger: a hard but brittle clayey limestone, which forms the final
roof ol the jet workings.
3. The Pseudovertebrae: concretions best seen in Rosedale Wyke. Resembling
saurian vertebrae from a distance. these are within a 1.5 metre mudstone bed.

4. The Curling Stones: flattened spheroids with pyritised skins, very regular in
shape, followed by one metre of mudstone to:
5. The Whale Stones; large oval Doggers up to two metres long again best displayed
on a falling tide in Rosedale Wyke, followed by three metres of mudstone with regular
bands ofpyritic skinned nodules.
6. The Cannon Ball Doggers: often spherical, and always with a substantial pyritic
skin.
There is a fine range of fossils contained within these beds, with good planks of jet
being confined to the upper five metres.
Saurian and fish "Lepidotus" and "Gyrosteus" are found, the scales often being
converted to jet. Ammonites are abundant, though in some beds flattened and pyritised,
with the thickness of tissue paper. Harpoceras (Cleviceras) exaratum is abundant in the
upper beds, a very attractive type when complete, succeeded by the species
Eleganticeras elegantulum in the lower beds and Cannon Ball Doggers. This species is
interesting, as it is one of the few that exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e. the females are
larger than the males. Most of the ammonites, if broken, will be filled in their chambers
with a greenish-yellow strongly-smelling mineral oil.
The beds containing economic jet outcrop through the Cleveland hills and along the
coast from Ravenscar to the lofty Boulby cliffs, before swinging inland. The best
accessible sites to understand the difficulties of mining jet are at Deep Grove Wyke to
Tell Green at Kettleness; and between Port Mulgrave and the Sheepstones. The
systems of tunnels, some worked on a primitive bord and pillar, should not be entered
without some expert assistance, as the roof and sides are ofien unstable. Explosives
could not be used for fear of fracturing the jet, and some form of wedging the tough
shale had to be devised. One system of work which can be identified at Tell Green was
the use of an iron or steel plug and feather to wedge the rock out. Normally the
bottom leaf of the beds would be worked first, leaving the top leaf below the Top Jet
Dogger until the last. The advantage of this was twofold: not so much loose rock had
to be stowed out of the heading and a competent roof beam was maintained. Some of
the fatalities occurring would be due to the collapse of the Jet Dogger and the shales
above it into the workinss.

Much jet was got by open-cast work on the scars between high and low tide levels.
The level of the scar in some places has been lowered five to six metres, a prime
example being below the Wrack Hills and Lingrow Cliff near Runswick. Benching
along the cliff edges has been practised, but none now is easily accessible. Vestiges
remain along the beetling cliffs below Boulby and Loftus alum quarries, and at High
Cliff near the Hob Holes.
That the Romans worked jet into jewellery is well known. Fragments have been tbund
at the Goldsborough signal station, and a brooch has been excavated at Vindolanda,
near Hadrian's Wall. Did they follow on the traditions of earlier workers passed down
or was it purely fortuitous? That is something to ponder about on our next walk to
Kettleness.
NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK
Peter J. Thornton
It was another exceptionally busy year fbr archaeology within the National Park. This
note describes the major schemes of work undertaken in the last 12 months.
Danby Castle: The deteriorating condition of this l4th century castle, which is both
a scheduled ancient monument and a Grade I listed building, has been a matter of
concern for a number of years, and it is pleasing to report that the first phase of a
two-stage consolidation programme has been completed. Undertaken on behalf of the
Downe Estate, English Heritage and the National Park, work to stabilise and
weatherproof key elements of the structure has been carried out by Historic Property
Restoration. This has concentrated on the northern part of the castle - the kitchen
range and adjacent projecting corner towers. The second phase is programmed fbr
next summer.
Rosedale Ironstone Project: Work has continued on the third phase of consolidation
at Rosedale East Mines, concentrating on further elements of the South (stone) kilns
and tackling for the first time the adjacent ventilation chimney. This survived as a squat
tower, with arched openings at the base of the east and west faces. The top of the
chimney had lost a number of courses of stonework, much of it falling inside and

filling the structure virtually to the top. Both east and west walls were showing the
development of long vertical cracks, probably due to this pressure. The work
programme involved clearance of stone collapse inside the chimney; east and west
walls strengthened by stitching anchors, drilled and inserted through the full length of
the walls; walls grouted and re-pointed as necessary; unstable stonework taken down
and rebuilt; wall heights extended using recovered stones but left with an uneven finish
to match the previously decayed appearance; both openings at the base of the chimney
sealed off - one walled up and the other blocked by a grill.
Although no evidence of the expected ventilation shaft below the chimney was
encountered, the base of the chimney was not fully cleared out - permission to do this
was not received. But an excavation at the base of the western arched opening did reveal
the foundations of a former flue which appears to have run down the slope below the
chimney. This probably served a steam engine, and is not likely to be related to the
calcining operation of the kiln.
At the stone kilns work has continued on stabilising the remains of the two northern
kiln units, concentrating on consolidating the southern end of the back wall of the
northernmost kiln. The upper section of this wall had completely collapsed, and the
down-wash from the subsequent erosion had buried the lower half. Trial excavation was
carried out by the York Archaeological Trust, which located the core of the wall and,
lower down, the surviving facing stones. After the overburden had been cleared the
remains were all consolidated.
Graham Lee
Archaeological Conservation Officer