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
Otters
One otter running up bank and going under a large fallen tree. Multiple squeaks heard then a much bigger otter ...
Palmate Newt?
Spotted when moving paving slabs, pinkish underbelly with spots, very small approx 3cm nose to tail, possibly juvenile? I have ...
Early butterflies etc
Comma and male Brimstone in my New Park garden, Buff-tailed Bumblebee, the Yurt, near Birk Crag.
Our next events
Birk Crag and Oak Beck
With our Leader, Kevin Walker, expect to find a number of species that have escaped the RHS Harlow Carr gardens, such as Aconite leaved Buttercup, Ranunculus aconitifolius, Caucasian Pennycress, Pachyphragma macrophyllum, and Broad leaved Cuckoo flower, Cardamine raphanifolia.
This is a joint meeting with members of Wharfedale Naturalists. Early booking is necessary to ensure a place as numbers will be limited.
Book with Kerry.
May 21, 2025 at 10:30 am - May 21, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Meet at RHS Harlow Carr, Car Park 3, SE281542
Winskill Stones Nature Reserve and Lower Winskill Farm
The Winskill Stones, near Settle, is a Plantlife site famous for its rich limestone flora. Andy Kearsey of Plantlife will lead us; in the afternoon we hope to visit Tom Lord’s farm at Lower Winskill, a working farm which is also farmed for wildlife, retaining rich natural habitats and also preserving the long history of the farm. (See this article). If the latter is not possible we plan to drive a few miles further up the road to the boardwalk at Malham Tarn, another beautiful and plant-rich site.
There will be a fee for Andy’s time, TBA.
This is an all day event so please bring lunch.
Book with Muff.
June 5, 2025 at 10:00 am - June 5, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Meet at 10:30 on the road from Langcliffe to Malham. Park by the side of the road near the start of the tarmac track, NGR SD 834659.
Reports of our most recent trips
Askham Bog - 7 May, 2025
There was an excellent turnout to enjoy the outstanding guided tour of Askham Bog by Professor Alastair Fitter CBE FRS. Alastair is an extremely busy person so we were very grateful for his time and wisdom. The formation of the bog dates back 17,000 years when a...
Fairburn Ings - 7 May, 2025
From the car park looking over the small reed bed we had a Reed Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and a Whitethroat. On the lake there were Great Crested Grebes, Tufted Ducks, Mallards, a pair of Gadwall and a Mute Swan. A Cormorant and a Grey Heron flew over. As we passed the...
Latest News
Birk Crag Chestnut Click Beetle Hunt
North Yorkshire Council are encouraging visitors to Birk Crag in Harrogate to keep an eye out for the Chestnut Click Beetle (Anostirus castaneus), which only has modern records...
Member wins prestigious RHS Harlow Carr Medal
Congratulations to member Sue Wood who has been awarded the prestigious RHS Harlow Carr medal for lifetime achievements to horticulture. Sue has a particular interest in trees...
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
Locations
There is amazing diversity of habitat and wildlife in our area. Here are some of our favourite locations for you to explore.
