News

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...

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...

The Woodland Trust invites you to celebrate International Dawn Chorus Day. Nidd-Dawn-Chorus-print-at-home-with-QR-code-V3-1Download

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...

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

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 Wildflowers of Sandy Bank...

[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...

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.

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...

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...

It must be stated that records of Mandarin Ducks Aix galericulata in the Society’s Bird Reports between the years 2012 to 2019, attributed to Spence Dam, should be Hartwith Mill Dam, both names having been inexplicably published in the same...

2021 A Green Sandpiper was present on 4th September, the first autumn Snipe were seen and, by the end of the first week, an Egyptian Goose was on site.  During the second week, the number of Snipe increased to seven and Willow Warblers, Chiffchaffs and...

Many of you will be familiar with the meadow area behind the cricket field off Aspin Lane in Knaresborough – the footpath regularly used by walkers along Crag Top towards the town or Abbey Road. The land is owned by Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) and over the years...

Since the Autumn Newsletter, and now that all 2021 moth records have been submitted to your Recorders, three additional new species for the Society’s area were confirmed: Ypsolopha horridella at Spofforth on 28th August; the species was first found in Yorkshire in...

The Northern England Raptor Forum would like to draw your attention to this latest post about bird crime: Move along, there's nothing to see here

Hookstone and Stonefall Action Group are looking for help with surveys of grasses, butterflies and other groups. They can be contacted through their website - https://hasactiongroup.wordpress.com or their Facebook page...

Northern England Raptor Forum have just released their 2019 Annual Review which covers the whole of northern England. For a more localised report see the Birds of Prey in Nidderdale AONB Evidence Report, published in September 2019.

Yet another hen harrier disappearance, just outside our area, is described in this Northern England Raptor Forum item.

For this 70th Anniversery we have a short history of the Society from its earliest days

On Saturday 27 January, members of Starbeck in Bloom, the Harrogate and District Biodiversity Group and HDNS all joined forces in Starbeck Library to organise the Big Garden Birdwatch for the RSPB. Since some of us do not have our own gardens, Starbeck in Bloom...

It is with great regret that the 70th Anniversary celebrations due to be held on Sunday 16th July have been cancelled due to lack of bookings from members.