Wildlife at Bishop Wood
North Yorkshire
England
Selby is the nearest town or village.
Bishop Wood is a Planted Ancient Woodland Site (PAWS for short). It is the largest wooded area in the Humberhead Levels and is jusy a few metres above sea level.
Birds: Nightjar frequent the areas where clear-felling has taken place and new trees planted and it is the sort of forest that the expanding woodlark population further south might move into. As far as we know they're not there yet. We have information about Nightjar and Woodlark
Insects and reptiles: It is a good wood for butterflies with a wide range of species being recorded. Like birds some butterfly species are moving and the profile of species in the wood might change in the next few years. The wood is one of the few places in Yorkshire where the argent and sable moth can be seen.
Habitats: Bishop Wood is planted predominantly with poplar pine and sycamore. Native trees such as Alder and Oak can also be found. There are a number of ponds and ditches in the wood.
How to get there:
By road. Situated on the B1222 between Sherburn in Elmet and Cawood about 3 miles west of Selby.
Enter through:
Dutchman's Car Park
Facilities:
Contact:
Brian Walker
Environment Officer
01751 472771
e-mail: nym@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
What's of interest
The long term plan for Bishop Wood is to gradually return it to native woodland. This means replacing the pines, poplars and sycamores with native trees suitable for the site. This will be predominantly oak and in the wetter areas alder. After carrying out a public consultation exercise with local people, wildlife specialists and agencies such as English Nature we have intoduced a revised design plan for the wood to be implemented over the next ten years.
What to see now
We need to improve our knowledge of the wildlife in Bishop Wood and are always pleased to receive comments and records from people visiting the wood.
What else is here
Find out more