One day in June - a snapshot of decline

摘要

Like many naturalists there is a little of Gilbert White in me - a particular passion for the natural history of my home parish, Ainderby Steeple in North Yorkshire (VC65). Whilst searching for any historic bird records for the village I saw referenceto a YNU excursion to Ainderby. Thanks to the efficient offices of the YNU Webmaster and the Honorary Librarian copies of both the circular advertising the event and the report of the visit in The Naturalist were located. The visit took place on 22 June1946 and the advice for attendees included a recommendation for rubber thigh boots and the warning that Ainderby Bottoms was home to a "particularly vicious gnat, the full effect of whose attentions are delayed". Perhaps most surprisingly, it appears that the bus services are more frequent now than in 1946!