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.

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

Pink-footed Geese

Eighty flew over this morning over the sheep field near the river heading east. Also later in the morning a ...

November 6 2024

Michael Smithson

Goldsborough

Fieldfares

190 Fieldfares have just flown west past the village.

October 30 2024

Michael Smithson

Goldsborough

Kingfisher in Wetherby

Kingfisher flew down from the weir, under the bridge and stopped for a while on a downstream buttress, before flying ...

October 9 2024

James

Under the bridge

Our next events

Knaresborough Forest Park and Long Lands Common

The talk will cover the latest updates from both the Long Lands Common project and the new Knaresborough Forest Park project. He will give information about the history and the future plans for Knaresborough Forest Park in particular and how to get involved.

November 13, 2024 at 7:30 pm

Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

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Collaboration for Conservation: Working together to protect North Yorkshire’s White-clawed Crayfish.

The background/ ecology of white-clawed crayfish including the threats they face and reason for decline, with an introduction to the North Yorkshire Crayfish Forum and action plan for crayfish in North Yorkshire, past and current crayfish projects, and what you can do to help.

November 27, 2024 at 7:30 pm

Friends Meeting House, Harrogate

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Reports of our most recent trips

Fungus Foray, Thruscross towards Blubberhouses - 24 October, 2024

Members attending this trip were very, very lucky in terms of the warm and sunny weather, in the levels of expertise and in the numbers of fungi identified.  Andy Woodall together with Ian and Jonathan were present from the Mid-Yorkshire Fungus Group, Kevin...

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Farnham Gravel Pit Fungus Foray - 19 October, 2024

The sharp eyes of 17 HDNS members spotted numerous different fungal species at Farnham Gravel Pit on Saturday 19 October. After reaching our agreed two hour time limit we had only managed a search from the car park to the vicinity of the Bird Hide! In that time, we...

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Latest News

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.