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
Cuckoos at Staveley
2 Cuckoos calling and seen at Staveley Nature Reserve through most of May.
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 ...
Our next events
Farnham Mires SSSI
A Saturday trip to see the botanical riches of this private site. There is very limited parking at the site so meet at 10:00 at SE351604 and park by the protected verge, where we will return for more interest after walking down the road to the Mires. This private SSSI has limestone grassland, calcareous fen and mesotrophic grassland. Former site for Bird’s-eye Primrose, but lots of botanical interest including Adder’s-tongue-fern, orchids, Parsley-leaved Water-Dropwort, etc.
June 14, 2025 at 10:00 am
Park by the protected verge at SE351604
Burton Leonard Quarry
Unfortunately, the Visit to Bishop Monkton Ings with Kevin Walker will have to be changed, due to the presence of threatening cattle!
Instead, Kevin will lead a grasses and sedges “refresher course” at YWT Burton Leonard Quarry. This is a lovely little site on the magnesian limestone with particularly diverse flora – there will be many interesting plants to see as well as the grasses and sedges, and butterflies too if the weather obliges.
In the afternoon, if time allows, we will visit Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting, another YWT site nearby.
Meet at 10 AM at the reserve entrance, NGR SE 32440 63193. You will need to park in the village and walk down Lime Kiln Lane.
BOOK WITH MUFF
July 12, 2025 at 10:00 am
Meet at 10 AM at the reserve entrance, NGR SE 32440 63193. You will need to park in the village and walk down Lime Kiln Lane.
Reports of our most recent trips
Oak Beck - 21 May, 2025
This was a joint meeting of HDNS and The Wharfedale Naturalists Society and around half of the twenty or so participants came from each organisation. We were attracted by the reputations both of the Oak Beck area for unusual alien plants and of our leader for the...
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...
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.
