Harrogate & District Naturalists Society https://www.hdns.org.uk/ Fri, 02 Feb 2024 17:21:04 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.3 https://www.hdns.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/cropped-site-icon-harrogate-naturalists-150x150.png Harrogate & District Naturalists Society https://www.hdns.org.uk/ 32 32 URE Connected – the Story of the Lower Ure Valley https://www.hdns.org.uk/ure-connected-the-story-of-the-lower-ure-valley/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/ure-connected-the-story-of-the-lower-ure-valley/#respond Fri, 02 Feb 2024 17:20:59 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=10137 On 22 March, LUCT are hosting a one-day seminar at Fountains Abbey. The seminar will celebrate the history, heritage and habitats of the Lower Ure Valley, with a range of guest speakers who will give their insights on topics such as the post-glacial landscape, early human history and key conservation values in the area, with […]

The post URE Connected – the Story of the Lower Ure Valley appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
On 22 March, LUCT are hosting a one-day seminar at Fountains Abbey. The seminar will celebrate the history, heritage and habitats of the Lower Ure Valley, with a range of guest speakers who will give their insights on topics such as the post-glacial landscape, early human history and key conservation values in the area, with a focus on curlew.

We also have field visits taking place on the Monday and Tuesday prior to the seminar. On Tuesday 19th, there will be tours of Thornborough Henges and the Well Wetlands Nursery and Nosterfield Nature Reserve Quarry site. These field visits will be available to book on Eventbrite in the next few weeks. 

Tickets for the seminar are available on Eventbrite following the link below:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ure-connected-the-story-of-the-lower-ure-valley-tickets-801942490577?aff=oddtdtcreator

The post URE Connected – the Story of the Lower Ure Valley appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/ure-connected-the-story-of-the-lower-ure-valley/feed/ 0
Yorkshire Pine Marten Project https://www.hdns.org.uk/yorkshire-pine-marten-project/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/yorkshire-pine-marten-project/#respond Thu, 05 Oct 2023 09:16:39 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9863 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 project can be found here, including our current conservation strategy: https://naturespy.org/projects_item/yorkshire-pine-marten-project/ The latest blog about Two Dots, this includes more detail and videos than I […]

The post Yorkshire Pine Marten Project appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
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 project can be found here, including our current conservation strategy: https://naturespy.org/projects_item/yorkshire-pine-marten-project/

The latest blog about Two Dots, this includes more detail and videos than I could go into last night: https://naturespy.org/pine-marten-roams-60-miles-yorkshire/

An article about all the species they’ve caught on camera in the North York Moors National Park, including a compilation video of each species: https://naturespy.org/wildlife-of-the-north-york-moors/ 

Thanks to Ed for his interesting introduction to the project.

The post Yorkshire Pine Marten Project appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/yorkshire-pine-marten-project/feed/ 0
International Dawn Chorus Day, 7 May 2023 https://www.hdns.org.uk/international-dawn-chorus-day-7-may-2023/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/international-dawn-chorus-day-7-may-2023/#respond Sat, 29 Apr 2023 08:57:28 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9543 The Woodland Trust invites you to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

The post International Dawn Chorus Day, 7 May 2023 appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
The Woodland Trust invites you to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day.

The post International Dawn Chorus Day, 7 May 2023 appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/international-dawn-chorus-day-7-may-2023/feed/ 0
Farnham News Spring 2023 https://www.hdns.org.uk/farnham-news-spring-2023/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/farnham-news-spring-2023/#respond Thu, 27 Apr 2023 10:56:31 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9518 During January, 80 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south-east, two Little Egrets were seen, five drake Mandarin Ducks were present on the North Lake and a returning flock of 45 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the north at the end of the month.  February was literally a “wash-out”, with the only bird of note […]

The post Farnham News Spring 2023 appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
During January, 80 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the south-east, two Little Egrets were seen, five drake Mandarin Ducks were present on the North Lake and a returning flock of 45 Pink-footed Geese flew over to the north at the end of the month.  February was literally a “wash-out”, with the only bird of note being a Peregrine Falcon.  The first half of March began with a Stonechat on 11th, two Chiffchaffs on 16th, and Sand Martins arrived two days later.  During the latter half of the month, there were two Little Ringed Plovers, 21 Whooper Swans, a Swallow on 30th and two Avocets dropped in the next day.

The feeding station was visited by 16 species during the winter.  Great Spotted Woodpeckers were attracted to a peanut butter type food, which a Treecreeper also found to its liking.  Thirteen Reed Buntings were counted, four species of tit occurred, also Goldfinches and the occasional Siskin, but no Yellowhammers this year.  The lack of hard frosts and snow cover probably reduced any cold weather movements.  Four persistent Grey Squirrels, which are able to access the fenced-off ground feeders, visited too often and have thus prompted a review of the station layout for next season.  This should also improve the situation created by the presence of nine Pheasants which cause considerable disturbance.

The volunteer Management Team undertook a work day on site each month from September 2022 to 2nd April 2023.  Work undertaken included:

1. new cladding was put on the front of the hide using floor boarding,

2. willows were cut back below the hide,

3. Crassula was raked out from part of the pond and left on the bank,

4. the contractors strimmed the six areas fenced off against rabbits and geese,

5. the level of sand in the Sand Martin wall drops each year, 19 bags of sand were taken out and used to build up the level again.  The sand medium has to be the correct medium, otherwise it could collapse while the birds were breeding,

6. a new hand rail was fitted to the bridge leading to the copse,

7. the hedge round the pond was cut,

8. the Pyramidal Orchid site, which is fenced around to protect the plants, was strimmed,

9. the Tern Platform was cleaned up and made ready,

10. ten old fence posts were replaced with new around the fenced-off 

11. the top path on the East Side was padly damaged when contractors carried out work on behalf of NPG. The team’s final job was a major effort to make the path safe again.

These are just a few examples of the work carried out by our team of volunteer members.  Unfortunately, on five occasions, the team consisted of only four members; the make-up of the team on any day is always unknown.  The old saying “Many hands make light work” springs to mind!

If this continues, the status of Farnham G.P. as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation is under threat.  All of you who visit Nature Reserves must realize that they have to be managed by teams of professionals along with volunteers like us.  Farnham is not different, it’s on your doorstep and it NEEDS YOUR HELP!

June E. Atkinson

Honorary Warden, Chairman of the Management Committee

The post Farnham News Spring 2023 appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/farnham-news-spring-2023/feed/ 0
Raptor persecution continues https://www.hdns.org.uk/raptor-persecution-continues/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/raptor-persecution-continues/#respond Tue, 04 Apr 2023 09:13:42 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9435 The North of England Raptor Forum has posted this informative report on the plight of Hen Harriers over Yorkshire moors.

The post Raptor persecution continues appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
The North of England Raptor Forum has posted this informative report on the plight of Hen Harriers over Yorkshire moors.

The post Raptor persecution continues appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/raptor-persecution-continues/feed/ 0
Wild-flowers and fungi of Sandy Bank Wood https://www.hdns.org.uk/wild-flowers-and-fungi-of-sandy-bank-wood/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/wild-flowers-and-fungi-of-sandy-bank-wood/#respond Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:46:08 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9315 A delightful small booklet that Kevin and Alistair Walker have produced, originally for Panel Primary School to use during Forest School activities. It might be of interest to members and parents of younger children in particular.

The post Wild-flowers and fungi of Sandy Bank Wood appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
A delightful small booklet that Kevin and Alistair Walker have produced, originally for Panel Primary School to use during Forest School activities. It might be of interest to members and parents of younger children in particular.

The post Wild-flowers and fungi of Sandy Bank Wood appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/wild-flowers-and-fungi-of-sandy-bank-wood/feed/ 0
Moth trapping https://www.hdns.org.uk/moth-trapping/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/moth-trapping/#respond Sat, 01 Oct 2022 08:04:12 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9164 [The following is an extended edition of the article by Jill Warwick in this Autumn’s newsletter.] It has been a fantastic year for moth trapping so far, with many new species to add to the HDNS list. Moths have seemingly enjoyed the hot summer and some species have appeared in big numbers, with several expanding […]

The post Moth trapping appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
[The following is an extended edition of the article by Jill Warwick in this Autumn’s newsletter.]

It has been a fantastic year for moth trapping so far, with many new species to add to the HDNS list. Moths have seemingly enjoyed the hot summer and some species have appeared in big numbers, with several expanding their ranges. There have so far been 14 new species of microlepidoptera recorded. These are the ones we are currently aware of as many records reach us later in the year. The first new species in March were Carpatolechia decorella at Ellington Banks and galls of Lampronia fuscatella on birch twigs at High Batts NR. There has been increased use of pheromone traps this year, not just for clearwings but for various species of tortrix moths. These often attract some unusual moths, not just the target species, and Pammene albuginana at Sawley, Pammene suspectana at several sites and Grapholita tenebrosana at Hutton Conyers, in May and June, were all new for our area. Heads of teasel are always worth inspecting early in the year. They normally contain larvae of Endothenia gentianaeana but this year some from Nosterfield NR contained larvae of the scarce Endothenia marginana which were bred through – another new moth for our area. 

Stands of Tansy near the river at Sharow produced two different species of Dichrorampha, a tricky genus to identify – D. sedatana and D. petiverella had not been seen in our area before and are scarce species. Mompha miscella is an unusual species feeding on common rock-rose and most county records are from upper Wharfedale, however the food plant thrives at High Batts NR and larval mines were found at this site. Oegoconia quadripuncta has been expanding its range so it was no surprise that one turned up at Hutton Conyers in July, but less expected at this site were two much rarer species – Haplotinea insectella and Eucosma fulvana – both tricky beasts to identify and needing dissection. Another new micro was Phyllocnistis saligna which forms “snail track” mines on willow species, usually crack willow. Mines were found at Kirk Hammerton in August, near Hutton Conyers a week later and then an adult in the Hutton Conyers moth trap. This is another species rapidly expanding its range. The final new addition was Scrobipalpa ocellatella otherwise known as Beet Moth. This species used to be confined to the south of England, but this year a huge population explosion saw large numbers in more northern counties, and we had our first on 12th September.

The only new Macro species was Black Arches, an attractive moth which is moving north and west across the county. We have been hoping one would visit us for a few years, and one duly obliged at Hutton Conyers in August. Many other unusual species were recorded. The increased use of pheromones resulted in several new sites for Yellow-legged Clearwing – a species with only one old record in our area. There were also good numbers of Lunar Hornet Moths, Red-tipped and Currant Clearwings. It has also been a good year for migrant species, with numerous records of the day-flying Hummingbird Hawk-moth, whilst unusually, a Death’s-head Hawk Moth larva was found just inside our boundary near Middleton Quernhow.  Other rarer migrants have included Small Mottled Willow, Vestal, both Bordered and Scarce Bordered Straw and there is still plenty of time for more unusual visitors to arrive.

Fletcher’s Pug was found at Hackfall Woods in 2020, new for Yorkshire, and two trapping sessions this year found an amazing 17. There are still no other known Yorkshire sites for this species. Devon Carpet, a recent colonist, has turned up in good numbers at several sites, and other moths expanding their ranges such as Maiden’s Blush and Small Blood-vein have done well.

Jill Warwick

The post Moth trapping appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/moth-trapping/feed/ 0
An exciting new field trip https://www.hdns.org.uk/an-exciting-new-field-trip/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/an-exciting-new-field-trip/#respond Mon, 25 Jul 2022 10:00:37 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=9004 Our programme secretary has arranged an exciting new trip this Autumn, to visit a lead mine at Greenhow on Saturday 12 November. Please contact Muff if you are interested in the visit as numbers will be limited to 12 people.

The post An exciting new field trip appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
Our programme secretary has arranged an exciting new trip this Autumn, to visit a lead mine at Greenhow on Saturday 12 November. Please contact Muff if you are interested in the visit as numbers will be limited to 12 people.

The post An exciting new field trip appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/an-exciting-new-field-trip/feed/ 0
Avian Influenza is still killing birds in the UK https://www.hdns.org.uk/avian-influenza-is-still-killing-birds-in-the-uk/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/avian-influenza-is-still-killing-birds-in-the-uk/#respond Tue, 14 Jun 2022 13:55:05 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=8897 It is not widely publicised that avian influenza is still killing wild birds in the UK. DEFRA has a scheme where members of the public can report dead birds, especially large species such as geese, swans, seagulls and birds of prey. Should you come across a dead wild bird, please do take the time to […]

The post Avian Influenza is still killing birds in the UK appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
It is not widely publicised that avian influenza is still killing wild birds in the UK.

DEFRA has a scheme where members of the public can report dead birds, especially large species such as geese, swans, seagulls and birds of prey.

Should you come across a dead wild bird, please do take the time to report it to DEFRA dead wild bird team on 03459 335577.

Do not handle the bird as it could constitute a biohazard – it will be collected by someone wearing full PPE and taken to a laboratory for testing.

Thanks to Pamela Singleton for this item.

The post Avian Influenza is still killing birds in the UK appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/avian-influenza-is-still-killing-birds-in-the-uk/feed/ 0
A blast from the past https://www.hdns.org.uk/a-blast-from-the-past/ https://www.hdns.org.uk/a-blast-from-the-past/#respond Thu, 28 Apr 2022 15:39:44 +0000 https://www.hdns.org.uk/?p=8776 During the 19th and early 20th Centuries, any birds of prey, including owls, were routinely shot or trapped by gamekeepers and ‘sportsmen’ naturalists.  Some examples from our district make dismal reading. Montagu’s Harriers attempted to nest on the moors in the 1940s and ’50s but, each year, the birds were shot; a young one which managed to fledge […]

The post A blast from the past appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
During the 19th and early 20th Centuries, any birds of prey, including owls, were routinely shot or trapped by gamekeepers and ‘sportsmen’ naturalists.  Some examples from our district make dismal reading.

Montagu’s Harriers attempted to nest on the moors in the 1940s and ’50s but, each year, the birds were shot; a young one which managed to fledge being so dispatched in August 1951.  Even after the Protection of Birds Act came into force in 1954, illegal shooting continued.  A Hen Harrier was killed at Markington in the autumn of 1956 and another was shot by a gamekeeper near Pateley Bridge in June 1965.  It is certain that other raptors were being killed without coming to our notice.

In 1957, a vole plague gave rise to a devastating series of events.  The preponderance of Short-tailed Voles attracted unusually high numbers of Short-eared Owls which, in turn, attracted the attention of gamekeepers, one of whom shot both birds of a breeding pair in the Upper Dale.  Fortunately, three young were rescued from the nest and successfully hand-reared to the flying stage.  One member of a grouse-shooting party stated that ‘they took the opportunity to shoot every one of the ten Short-eared Owls seen during the day’ and, unbelievably, a local gamekeeper shot 26 Kestrels over a period of a few weeks, as they were also being attracted to the voles.  

This mindless slaughter is now in the past, but the persecution of large birds of prey by some of those associated with the grouse and pheasant shooting fraternity is, I fear, ongoing.

Dr. John R. Mather

The post A blast from the past appeared first on Harrogate & District Naturalists Society.

]]>
https://www.hdns.org.uk/a-blast-from-the-past/feed/ 0