Trip Reports

The Society runs an active programme of field meetings throughout the year. Many are visits to areas of interest within the local area, but we also arrange trips to places further afield. Some focus primarily on bird-watching whilst others look for wild flowers, fungi, insects or other groups. Many of these visits are of interest to general naturalists as can be seen from the reports, which we endeavour to publish within a week or two of the event. 

Conyngham Hall Tree Trail

Conyngham Hall Tree Trail

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

Hartlepool

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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Christmas walk and lunch

Christmas walk and lunch

After meeting at Ripon City Golf Club, where we were later to have lunch, we car-shared to the west gate at Fountains Abbey which is a known haunt of Hawfinches.  They appear at this location most winters in varying numbers and feed on the young growth at the...

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Fungus foray, RHS Harlow Carr

Fungus foray, RHS Harlow Carr

Fungus forays are usually very popular events and so it was no surprise that 15 members and friends assembled outside the entrance to Harlow Carr Gardens, ready to spend time learning about mycology.  The event was led by Dr Kevin Walker who took the trouble to...

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Old Moor RSPB Reserve

Old Moor RSPB Reserve

11 members attended this meeting starting at 10.00. On arrival at the car park  I saw two Great-spotted Woodpeckers on the grass, an adult and a juvenile. From the Bittern and the Main hides which both look over the main lake we could see seven Lesser...

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Quarry Moor, Ripon

Quarry Moor, Ripon

This trip was arranged at short notice to replace a possible full-day more distant outing, in view of the very unsettled period of weather and the difficulty of recruiting participants in August. It proved a popular choice, with 10 well-wrapped-up members bravely...

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Aquatic Nursery, Nosterfield

Aquatic Nursery, Nosterfield

It may be surprising to some people to find that there is a charity near to Ripon which is propagating hundreds of species of rare British water plants in a nursery on a former sand and gravel quarry.  Last Friday afternoon ten HDNS members visited the site, and...

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Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve

Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve

Smardale Gill National Nature Reserve and SSSI lies just north east of the Howgill Hills. The Reserve occupies an 8km/5 mile section of the railway track that once ran...

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New Members Day at Farnham Gravel Pits

New Members Day at Farnham Gravel Pits

This was well attended with members of Council on hand to show new members around the site. June Atkinson gave them an introduction to the site's specialities such as the wonderful Pyramidal Orchids, upwards of 150 again this year. There was a good selection of plants...

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Ribblesdale’s botanical riches

Ribblesdale’s botanical riches

Leader: Kevin Walker This event was advertised as a chance to see “rare limestone plants” and did not disappoint! Apparently some 90% of the British Flora can be found on the slopes of Ingleborough, and although our target was more modest we did end up with a longer...

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Botanical Field Trip to Wensleydale

Botanical Field Trip to Wensleydale

Leader;  Kevin Walker  Ballowfields LNR near Carperby consists of an area of grassland which was heavily contaminated by lead mining operations over 200 years ago. The beck which runs through the site has carried lead from the mines and specialised...

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Evening walk in Stainburn Forest

24 members attended the evening meeting to see Nightjars and Woodcocks. It was an overcast and cool evening. Most birds had already gone to roost but as we walked into the forest we did see up to three Tree Pipits, one of which was carrying food back to its nest....

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Middleton Wood

Middleton Wood

This woodland is owned and managed by Bradford MDC and comprises Coppy, Stubham, Hudson and Middleton Wood itself.  It is situated very close to gardens and a swimming pool and yet seems to maintain its peace and tranquillity.  Happily we were blessed...

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Waders and Black Grouse of Upper Teesdale

Waders and Black Grouse of Upper Teesdale

The long awaited trip to Upper Teesdale took place on what turned out to be a beautiful Springlike day. Eight of us met at Langdon Beck with Colin Slator as our expert guide in search of Black Grouse and botanical delights. Even though the lecking season is well and...

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Fairburn Ings and Lin Dyke

Fairburn Ings and Lin Dyke

Nine members met at the visitor centre car park. The day started overcast but the sun soon shone through giving us a warm dry day. From the car park and adjacent reed bed there was a Blackcap, Dunnock, Goldfinches, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit and Robin in the hedge. A Reed...

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Aubert Ings, Cattal

Aubert Ings, Cattal

The visit to SSSI Aubert Ings is becoming something of an annual event, for an early botanical venue. The spectacular butter-yellow wild tulips and delicate fritillaries are guaranteed, and an encouraging harbinger of a wildflower summer! It is a unique...

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Gouthwaite and Scar House Reservoirs

Gouthwaite and Scar House Reservoirs

Nine members attended the meeting starting at Gouthwaite viewing area. The weather was overcast with a light breeze but the sun did appear during the afternoon. From the car park we had a pair of Pied Wagtails, a Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Goldfinches, Long-tailed...

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Heyshaw Moor

Heyshaw Moor

Four members met on Heyshaw Moor to the sound of Curlew and Snipe, and the sight of an impressive flock of Golden Plover. However, our purpose was to study the variety of mosses and liverworts on the moor, so we took loupes to our eyes and learnt to distinguish the...

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Hartlepool, Newburn Bridge and Seaton Snook

Hartlepool, Newburn Bridge and Seaton Snook

14 members attended this field trip starting at the Headland lighthouse at 9.30. It was an overcast day with a westerly breeze. On the sea we found six Red-throated Divers, two Guillemots and a group of 55 Cormorants. Great Black-backed, Herring  and Black-headed...

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Christmas Walk

Christmas Walk

Colin Slator once again offered members a guided Christmas Walk. It was an all day event which started at Nosterfield Quarry on a very cold but still morning. The highlight of the morning was a visit to the innovative Flask Fen project. Despite the chill, Laurie and...

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Gillfield Mine visit

Gillfield Mine visit

A “Natural History” visit to a Lead Mine? Well, nothing can be more “Natural” than rock, so a sunny Saturday saw 12 of us being kitted up with helmets and lights by our leaders, Richard Clayton, who organised the trip for us, and his colleague Shirley. Gillfield Mine...

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Nidd Gorge Fungus Foray

Nidd Gorge Fungus Foray

The pall of cloud that had blighted the previous day (bonfire night) had lifted and there was a promise of a brighter morning as we gathered with mycologist Andy Woodall in the Woodland Trust’s Nidd Gorge car park on Ripley Rd. Rain threatened but held off until our...

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Hartlepool Headland and Teesmouth

Seven members attended this field trip starting at the Headland at 9.30. Low tide was at 06.30 so we had a rising tide. The weather was showery most of the day but the westerly wind wasn't as strong as forecast. We could shelter behind the lighthouse buildings for our...

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Blacktoft Sands and North Cave Wetlands

Blacktoft Sands and North Cave Wetlands

12  members attended the meeting starting at Blacktoft Sands car park at 9.30. It was a cool overcast start to the day with occasional  sunny periods throughout the day. A Spotted Crake has been on the reserve since the weekend so our first stop was the Townend Hide...

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Wykeham Forest

10 members attended, meeting at the car park at 10.00. The weather was overcast with a slight breeze. The bird sightings started at the car park with a Blackcap, Goldcrest and a Coal Tit seen in the conifers with a Wren in the undergrowth. Along the footpath to the...

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Hackfall and Mickley Woods

Hackfall and Mickley Woods

14 members attended. Leader Kevin Walker Hackfall Woods are ancient woodland lying on magnesian limestone. Although parts of them were clear felled in the 1930s some parts are thought to have been continuous woodland since the last Ice Age so have a diverse flora in...

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Members’ meeting at Farnham Gravel Pits

Members’ meeting at Farnham Gravel Pits

There were 27 of us at Farnham Gravel Pits on Saturday morning, for many of whom it was their first visit. Society members have special dispensation to visit the site, which we manage to support and enhance the local flora and fauna. After an initial heavy shower we...

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Malham Tarn area

Malham Tarn area

This was a botanists’ dream come true – Malham Tarn area is surely one of the best plant sites in the county, and here we were with Judith Allinson, a professional botanist who knows the area intimately, a natural teacher whose enthusiasm was enough to keep us going...

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Spring Wood, Knaresborough

Spring Wood, Knaresborough

Spring Wood is one of 5 named woods in the Nidd Gorge between Nidd Viaduct and Knaresborough Low Bridge. Spring Wood is on the southern bank opposite Scotton Banks and, due to its position, is seldom visited. It comprises a large slope with terraces formed by the...

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Stainburn Forest Nightjar walk

22 members attended the evening meeting to see Nightjars and Woodcocks. We walked from the car park and walked along the path to the right. Some of the area has been felled leaving upright dead trees making ideal perches for Tree Pipits. They attracted four pipits....

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Grass Wood, Grassington

Grass Wood, Grassington

The 12 naturalists assembled at the quarry car park included our leader, Bruce Brown, botanical recorder for Wharfedale Naturalists and Joe Bodycote of YWT; Bruce and Joe are both very much involved in the management of the wood, Bruce appears to know every tiniest...

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Fairburn Ings and Lin Dyke

Fairburn Ings and Lin Dyke

12  members attended the meeting starting at Fairburn Ings car park at 9.30. It was a cool breezy start to the day that warmed with a light shower and sunny periods throughout the day. From the car park we heard a Red-legged Partridge. Cormorants and a Little...

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Gouthwaite and Scar House Reservoirs

Gouthwaite and Scar House Reservoirs

10  members attended the meeting starting at Gouthwaite Reservoir viewing area. The weather was overcast with occasional sunny periods. The water level was high which reduced the muddy areas favoured by waders. One Black-tailed Godwit in summer plumage was seen in...

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Aubert Ings SSSI

Aubert Ings SSSI

13 members attended Aubert Ings is a fascinating example of a rare habitat; ancient flood meadow. Because of the wet ground it has never been ploughed, though was originally woodland which was cleared hundreds of years ago and traditionally managed ever since. This is...

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YWT Ripon City Wetlands with Pete Bowman

YWT Ripon City Wetlands with Pete Bowman

This morning visit to the wetlands started with the sound of Chiffchaff as we entered the reserve from the carpark. It was the first of many with at least 11 being counted. Most people were familiar with the rhythmic sound but not everyone had watched one so it was...

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RSPB St Aidan’s and Fairburn Ings

RSPB St Aidan’s and Fairburn Ings

15 members joined Colin Slator in a quest to find Signs of Spring at RSPB St Aidan's. This part of the Aire Valley has been reclaimed from its former mining past and now offers extensive and varied habitats. The reserve is also used for flood water storage and there...

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Hartlepool, Newburn Bridge, Greatham Creek and Saltholme

Eleven members attended, meeting at the Lighthouse. It was a wet drive to Hartlepool but our day was dry, overcast with sunny periods. It was a breezy day which did turn colder during the afternoon. It was a low tide when we arrived just on the turn. From the sea...

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Christmas Walk

Christmas Walk

As has been usual at Christmas over recent years, Colin Slator led a Christmas walk.  This year, our feast wasn’t in a local hostelry due to Covid, but we did indeed enjoy a feast of finches. Acting on information received, we set off down the track of the Ripon...

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HDNS visit to Whitby Museum herbarium

HDNS visit to Whitby Museum herbarium

This was a field trip with a difference. Most of us had never viewed a herbarium before, I think some people had not even heard of such a thing! We were lucky that a museum not impossibly far away has such an excellent collection of historical dried flowers – there...

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Swinsty Fungus Foray

Swinsty Fungus Foray

12 would-be mycologists assembled for the now-traditional fungus field trip with Andy Woodall. Welcome to new members Pamela Crawford and Nabil Abbas! Swinsty Woods are mixed coniferous, with plenty of Larch, Birch and some Beech – all good for fungi. The reasonably...

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Hartlepool and area

Hartlepool and area

Eight members attended at 09.00 hrs on a mild day with a westerly breeze blowing off shore. The sea was very calm becoming a little choppy as high tide approached. Later in the day it became sunny and warm. We started on Marine Drive to check the rocks before the high...

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Nosterfield Nature Reserve

Nosterfield Nature Reserve

Five members attended on a very warm sunny day starting at the Nature Reserve car park at 09.30. A good selection of waders were present viewed from the screen. 2 Greenshank, 4 Ruff, 5 Golden Plover, 1 Dunlin, 2 Snipe, 2 Redshank, 5 Ringed Plover, 1 Black-tailed...

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North Cave Wetlands

The HDNS field trip to North Cave Wetlands was attended by nine members. The weather was overcast but there were some hot sunny periods throughout the day.  The car park on Dryham Lane had a flock of Long-tailed Tits, a Chaffinch and a Chiffchaff as I arrived....

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Morning walk at Farnham Gravel Pit

Morning walk at Farnham Gravel Pit

A group of 14 HDNS members met for a morning visit to Farnham Gravel Pit. This was the first chance for a couple of members to visit FGP and we were looking forward to walking around the South Lake with them. Details of FGP can be found on the Farnham Gravel Pit...

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Trees of Valley Gardens

Trees of Valley Gardens

Who knew there are so many wonderful and special trees in our very own Valley Gardens? I didn’t - just me then? - I must have walked through the gardens a million times and never really looked up!  Too busy trying to identify the lovely flowers and plants in...

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Afternoon Walk to Beaver Dyke Reservoir

Afternoon Walk to Beaver Dyke Reservoir

In total a plant list of 117 species was collated by Kerry Morrison, Hazel Mitford and Richard Campbell, with contributions from the other five members of the group, as it was a lovely walk through diverse habitats.  Beaver Dyke Reservoirs are two small supply...

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Quarry Moor, Ripon

Quarry Moor, Ripon

On a warm, sunny afternoon a dozen HDNS members set off to explore Quarry Moor Nature Reserve at Ripon.  This visit was certainly proof that we do not need to travel far from home to find special places.  The site contains grassland, scrub, woodland and...

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Lumley Moor Reservoir

Lumley Moor Reservoir

9 members visited the site, which in addition to the shallow reservoir itself, is surrounded by planted birch/Scots pine woodland giving dappled shade. The site was unusually quiet as the hot weather had raised the water temperature, reducing oxygen levels and...

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High Batts Nature Reserve

High Batts Nature Reserve

High Batts is situated on the banks of the River Ure and comprises 32 acres of mixed woodland with some open clearings.   One of the volunteers at the reserve, Pandora, kindly offered to show us around.   Her extensive knowledge was a real...

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Oak Beck and Birk Crags

Oak Beck and Birk Crags

It was not a particularly auspicious start to the morning as we assembled in Harlow Carr Gardens’ car park in the drizzle. Despite being nearly the end of May, the 12 intrepid members were bundled up to the eyes in double trousers, thick jackets, woolly hats, mittens...

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