Yorkshire Status: Increasingly common resident.

Grey Shoulder-knot occurred in Yorkshire in the 19th century, as Porritt in 1883 was aware of records from Leeds ("occasional"), Pontefract and York. It must have retreated south soon afterwards, though there is a record in Rutherford's lists from Sheffield in 1965. In the 1990s, records increased to our south, and moths appeared at Spurn in 2000 and 2001. By 2004 it appeared to be resident, and it spread rapidly north and west, so that by 2008 there were records from all five vice-counties. Records from the west of VC64 will have come from a similar expansion in north Lancashire. It can now be found all over the county with the exception of the west of VC65 where there is little oak woodland, which is its favourite habitat.

Like Tawny and Pale Pinion, it over-winters as an adult. It can be seen from September until November and then after its winter diapause, from February to April. Numbers are still increasing, though it is only ever seen in small numbers - the maximum catch being five. It is usually fairly easy to identify, though it could be mistaken for Blair's Shoulder-knot in the autumn.

Sutton & Beaumont, 1989: In the nineteenth century Porritt (1883-86) recorded this vagrant from Leeds (VC64), Pontefract (VC63) and York (VC61/62/64). The only record since was mentioned in the last list: from Sheffield (VC63) in 1965 (YNU, 1970).

Recorded in 106 (53%) of 200 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1857.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats