Wildlife Sightings

Recording the local wildlife helps us understand the natural environment and contributes to conservation and research efforts. If you have any interesting wildlife sightings in our area then please let others know by submitting your sightings.

Upcoming Events

We organise regular trips for our members to experience the different habitats found in and around the Harrogate District.

Trip Reports

Updates from our visits to wildlife sites around the Harrogate District.

New publications

Our Spring 2023 Newsletter is now available on the Reports & Publications page.

Welcome to the Harrogate & District Naturalists' Society

Since 1947, the Harrogate & District Naturalists’ Society has been inspiring people to engage with the wonderful wildlife found within this beautiful part of the world. We are a friendly group of natural history enthusiasts with a wide range of members, from complete beginners to wildlife professionals. Together we celebrate, observe and record the natural world in towns, gardens and the countryside surrounding Harrogate, Knaresborough, Ripon and the whole of Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Get Involved

From heather moorlands and broadleaved woodlands to
species-rich hay meadows, waterways and reservoirs, the Harrogate District is full of special habitats for wildlife. There are many ways you can get involved, ranging from becoming a member to submitting a sighting or venturing out and visiting local wildlife sites.

Become a Member

Joining is is easy and your annual membership fee gives you access to a range of benefits. Our members regularly get together to share their knowledge and experience with each other and join in lively discussions. You will also have the chance to get involved with the running of the Society, from wildlife recording to volunteering at Farnham Gravel Pit.

Latest wildlife sightings

Otter in water stream at Valley Gardens Harrogate

We saw an otter swimming across the water stream / pond in Valley Gardens, Harrogate, daytime 16th March 2024.

March 16 2024

Laura Forbes

Valley Gardens Harrogate

Barn Owl and Kestrels

A Barn Owl hunting over grassland and reedbeds at mid-day. The owl caught something, and while it was down in ...

February 28 2024

Ginni Darbyshire

YWT Staveley

Pink-footed Geese

c. 70 have just flown over heading West.

February 27 2024

Michael Smithson

Ripley Road, Knaresborough

Our next events

Annual General Meeting

April 10, 2024 at 7:30 pm

Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

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Ancient trees of Ripley Park

April 19, 2024 at 1:45 pm

Meet at 1:45 in the Castle Tearoom car park, HG3 3AY.

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Reports of our most recent trips

Conyngham Hall Tree Trail - 9 March, 2024

The weather forecast for our HDNS outing did not bode well, but happily despite the grey sky, no rain fell.  Eighteen of us assembled at Conyngham Hall Car park, Knaresborough.  We were led by Sue Wood, Horticultural Development Officer at North Yorkshire...

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Hartlepool - 7 February, 2024

11 members met at the Headland lighthouse on a sunny day with overcast periods and light breeze. We started by sea watching. The most numerous birds we could see were groups of 20, 22 and 80 Common Scoters followed by 20 Great Crested Grebes in a loose group. A single...

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Latest News

Yorkshire Pine Marten Project

Ed Snell from NatureSpy.org gave a fascinating talk last night about Pine Martens and camera traps. He has sent a few links that expand on his talk: General info about the...

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Farnham Gravel Pit

Farnham Gravel Pit is a site rich in wildlife. Designated as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC), this 80 hectare area located one mile from Knaresborough includes two lakes and a range of habitats. Closed to the general public, members of the Society have special permission from the landowners to visit the site

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Locations

There is amazing diversity of habitat and wildlife in our area. Here are some of our favourite locations for you to explore.