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
Ravens
Two very vocal Ravens around Crimple Viaduct (the one which still carries trains) this afternoon.
Poplar Hawk moth caterpillar
On a Poplar sapling in hedgerow.
Clifden Nonpareil
Our next events
The Woodland Trust and Snaizeholme
Snaizeholme was acquired by the Trust in 2021 and is their largest restoration project in England. The talk covers the background to the Woodland Trust and how Snaizeholme is developing.
November 12, 2025 at 7:30 pm
Friends Meeting House, Harrogate
Knaresborough Forest Park
A guided walk around the newly established Knaresborough Forest Park.
This will be an opportunity to hear the plans to convert this 60 acre site, from farmland into a ‘community wood meadow with a blend of glades and rides and trees’. The vision for KFP is similar to vision for Long Lands, and securing these 2 sites will now allow protection and enhancement of this stretch of land adjoining the Nidd Gorge.
The walk will start on the Beryl Burton cycleway but then dip into the fields so may be muddy, then along Bilton Hall Drive but followed by the path alongside the allotments which can very muddy. So, be prepared for muddy paths but most will not be too uneven.
November 18, 2025 at 1:00 pm - November 18, 2025
Conyngham Hall car park, meet by the large map by the edge of the R Nidd (SE344571)
Reports of our most recent trips
Washburn Valley Fungus Foray - 25 September, 2025
It was a perfect bright sunny autumn morning when we met up at Fewston Reservoir car park for our annual Fungus Foray, led by Andy Woodall, with the help of his fellow mycologist Ian Forward. As Andy’s fame has spread far and wide, we had 18 HDNS members raring to go…...
RSPB St. Aidan’s Reserve - 12 August, 2025
We arrived in what can only be described as perfect conditions for this visit. There was no wind and the early overcast conditions kept the fierce heat at bay. Tim chose the path which led us to some semi arid lagoons where a fantastic variety of birds were...
Latest News
Christmas lunch on 9th December – menu now available
The Christmas lunch menu is below. If you would like to join us for lunch please ensure you send the organiser (Muff) your choice for each of the three courses. HDNS CHRISTMAS...
Townend Field Nature Reserve opens
The latest nature reserve to open in our area, Townend Field in Greater Ouseburn, officially opens on 2nd October at 2pm. Members of HDNS are welcome to join the team who have...
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.
