Muntjac deer, Muntiacus reevesi
This species is spreading northwards in the UK, and is one of just eight non-native animal species to which the following UK legislation applies: The Invasive Alien Species (Enforcement and Permitting) Order 2019.Recently, I have been made aware of two reports of Muntjac deer close to South Cave and Brantingham. One was seen at the beginning of April by an experienced deer watcher, who also had been told of a local road kill about six months ago. Interestingly, there are other records of Muntjac in the Brough - Market Weighton area: in Brough (2022) during a night-time bird survey, near HM Prison Humber (2013), at North Cliffe (including an animal shot in 2014) and on a farm near Shiptonthorpe (2018). These details are based on information from Dan Lombard, NBN Atlas and iRecord. Other VC 61 locations include Weel (2015), near Warter (2021) and near Sledmere (2007). For the national distribution of Muntjac, see the results of the British Deer Society survey in 2016 . A useful ID guide to the species can be found on the GB Non-native Species Secretariat (NNSS) website.
Richard Shillaker, 20 April 2022
Photograph (not taken locally) by Chris Manning
A sunny, mild day with barely a breeze, we visit Stone Creek, a small, sheltered creek off the Humber, where several main drains enter the estuary. The tide is low and we walk west to have the sun on our backs. We spot several Meadow Pipits, Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers, but it is quiet bird-wise. We return via the road and before leaving, we try to find some lizards on the flood bank. Instead, we see a Short-eared Owl, and while watching it we spot seven Common Seals. It is a fitting end to the day to end up watching the seals, perched on the edge of the creek, with the Short-eared Owl flying above them.
I was lucky enough to spot this 'Hair Ice' on a rotting branch at Beggar’s Bridge in Glaisdale in December. 
Eight members enjoyed a very sunny day at Messingham, last visited in 2014. Although only late April, there were plenty of flowers, including Meadow Saxifrage, Springbeauty, Cowslips and Marsh Marigolds and one or two Marsh Violets. Most of the warblers had returned with Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff and Reed Warbler making themselves heard, occasionally being drowned out by Cetti’s Warbler. Sand Martins and Swallows were also seen. A small group of Avocets and a few Common Terns were the highlight amongst a range of the usual water birds. The sunshine also brought out eight species of butterfly.
Twelve of us set off from the green on a fine sunny day to explore the steep wooded valley east of the river as far as Appleton Mill. Our path climbed a hollow way, then descended steeply through ancient woodland and meadows down to the river. We encountered a variety of habitats; the underlying rock is mainly limestone with a rich calcicole flora but there is also some sandstone, allowing acid-tolerant plants like Wood-sorrel to flourish. Below the level of the Bluebells, Ramsons was the dominant species right on to the river bank.
Also on January 3rd another group of four members had a pleasant wander around the Grovehill Road / Beverley Beck area, exploring as many interesting alleys and passages as possible. Despite our efforts the final total was only 31. The most unusual find was Balkan Spurge (Euphorbia oblongata) (see above photo), naturalised on waste ground. This was accepted as a new BSBI vice-county record.