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
Members open morning at Farnham Gravel Pit
Coinciding with National Meadows Day, we are having an open morning for members at Farnham Gravel Pit. All welcome, drop in between 10:00 and 1:00. If you have recently joined, or if you have never visited FGP, this is your chance to come and look around this private lake managed for wildlife by HDNS. There will be other members there to show you the plants, birds and insects of this very diverse site. If you decide you would like a key for yourself, they will be available on the day (£20 deposit).
Entrance nearly opposite Gibbet Farm on the Knaresborough-Farnham road, 400m after the turn-off from the A6055. HG5 9JP
July 5, 2025 at 10:00 am
Farnham Gravel Pit
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
Farnham Village and Farnham Mires - 14 June, 2025
An early arrival gave me time to walk around some of the back lanes of this attractive village. A few hedgerow plants were found, including Black Bryony (Tamus communis), White Bryony (Bryonia dioica), Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) and Field Bindweed...
Winskill Stones and Malham - 11 June, 2025
We have tended to be unlucky with the weather on our field trips to the Dales – last July we did Cowside Beck in full winter clothing. But the forecast for our designated date for Winskill Stones was so dire that we took the decision to postpone until...
Latest News
Local Nature Recovery Strategy consultation
A public consultation for the North Yorkshire & York Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) will be launched on Monday 30th June for a six-week period & will close...
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...
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.
