HOW pleasant to read about something other than crime, drugs or commercial development. I refer to the article about the success of the work brought about by the Friends of Clifton Backies and the butterflies to be found at the reserve (November 24).

However, Tony Fairburn and the members will have to look to their laurels regarding the quantities if not the varieties of butterflies.

We are associated with the Wheatland Educational Woodland in Northfield Lane, Upper Poppleton, which seems to be similar to the Backies, except there are no water features.

Our particular responsibility is the noting and identification of insects found in the woodland and our sightings this year include all varieties listed in the article, plus the red admiral, which didn't appear in the list.

The most butterflies counted in one visit was 172 on July 31, and on July 21 a total of 116 six-spot burnet moths were seen in about one hour.

We also have a large population of different varieties of bumble-bees, hover flies, shield bugs and spiders. Moths noted have included white plumes, angle shades and silver Ys, plus the rather spectacular caterpillar of the grey dagger moth.

The four varieties of ladybirds seen include the black two-spot which paradoxically has four spots.

While these humbler forms of wildlife are not so obvious in the winter months, many are still there but hidden.

The Wheatlands Educational Woodland is open to anyone to visit and no doubt the same is true of the Clifton Backies.

These places exist because of the support and enthusiasm of their members, so why not visit? The more you go, the more you may see - and they are free.

Bob and Joy Jones,

Albion Avenue, York.

Updated: 11:33 Monday, November 29, 2004