Harrogate & District Naturalists' Society

Situated one mile to the north of Knaresborough the gravel pit, comprising both the North and South Lakes, lies in a shallow basin approximately 150ft (46m) above sea level and covers and area of 200 acres (81 ha). The pits were worked for sand and gravel from 1941, the plant machinery being finally dismantled in 1982 and work ceasing in 1985, after the lakes had been landscaped and the surrounding land restored to pasture.

The Society, in agreement with the landowners, has permission to visit this multi-use site and to manage the environs of the South Lake for wildlife.

Access is restricted to members of the Society and other bona fide site users.

Keys for the entrance gate and the hide are available from the General Secretary on payment of a deposit, which is refundable on their eventual return.

Honorary Warden: June E. Atkinson, 46 Plompton Drive, Harrogate. HG2 7DS Phone: 01423 885612

Management of the Site

The on-going management is vested in a Committee, appointed by the Society, which consists of a Chairman and four members, all of whom have specialist knowledge in the various aspects of natural history and in site maintenance. The Society also appoints an Honorary Warden. Management work is carried out by teams of volunteers usually between October and March.

Access

Access to this secure site is from Farnham Lane. There is a car park 350yds (323m) beyond the gate, from where a well-maintained grass path leads for 100yds (92m) to the hide. A footpath circles the South Lake, approximately 1 mile (1.6km) in length and there is a track along the western side of the North Lake. The gate must always be locked after entry and on leaving the site.

Habitats

The shallow South Lake has five low-lying islands, where there is an artificial Sand Martin wall and two platforms for nesting Common Terns. The islands and emergent willows along the western side provide habitat for several species of nesting waterbirds. The shoreline varies from relatively open shallow sandy banks to areas of prolific willow trees and the surrounding embankments have maturing trees, mainly hawthorn, silver birch, ash, aide and rowan, planted during the restoration period. The North Lake is deeper and is used for sailing. Both lakes are used by anglers.

The Hide

This important amenity was built in 1978 and extended in 1994. Situated on the north bank of the South Lake, it offers ideal opportunity for viewing over the water and the islands. An extensive library contains identification guides for most orders and there are log books in which to enter observations.
 
 
 

Flora and Fauna of the Site

Flowering Plants An impressive list of species has been recorded on the site. Flowers are at their best from June, when carpets of Bird's-foot-trefoil can be seen. There are lots of Common Spotted Orchids, Bee and occasional Pyramidal Orchids. Other flowers, often growing in profusion, are Common Centaury, Yellow-wort, Yellow-rattle, Blue Fleabane, Eyebright, Agrimony, Red Bartsia, Common Knapweed and Devil's-bit Scabious.
 
 

Butterflies No fewer than 22 species have been recorded and most are seen annually. All the commoner species occur in relative abundance and others less numerously: Common Blue is attracted to the extensive patches of Bird's-foot-trefoil; Holly Blue is scarce but regularly seen; Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper and Ringlet are common with smaller numbers of Painted Lady, Wall, Small Heath and Small Copper; Speckled Wood has recently colonized and Brimstone occurs each spring and autumn. There are just two records of Marbled White and four of Clouded Yellow.

Moths Moth trapping has revealed the presence of 180 species. Day-flying moths, which can be seen over the grassy areas, are Chimney Sweeper, Six-spot and Narrow-bordered Five-Spot Burnets.

 
Dragonflies and Damselflies Seventeen species have been recorded, as many as 11 of which occur annually. Seen regularly are four species of damselfly and there is a single record of Large Red Damselfly. Often present are four species of hawker, including the scarce Migrant Hawker, Four-spotted Chaser and Ruddy Darter. There are occasional sightings of Emperor Dragonfly, Broad-bodied Chaser and Banded Demoiselle, with just one record of Red-veined Darter.
 
 

Amphibians A pond on the western side of the South Lake, created specially for newts, is home to Smooth Newts and the very local Great Crested, as well as Common Frog and Common Toad.

Birds Since recording began in 1965, a total of 209 species has been seen, about 130 of which are recorded each year. Rare ones have included Eurasian Spoonbill, Little Egret, Great Bittern, Long-billed Dowitcher, Spotted Sandpiper and White winged Black Tern. Twelve species of raptors have been seen, most of which occur on passage through the area, Osprey and Eurasian Marsh Harrier being recorded every year. Common Buzzard is now being seen with increasing frequency and occasional Red Kites pass over.

Around 43 species breed annually including Great Crested and Little Grebes, Mallard, Tufted Ducks, occasional Gadwall, Oystercatchers, Little Ringed Plovers, Black-headed Gulls, Common Terns and five species of warblers - Blackcap, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler. Up to 70 pairs of Sand Martins breed in the artificial wall.
Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers can be seen throughout the year and many warblers pass through on migration, particularly in late summer and autumn. Many waterfowl use both lakes during the winter including Common Goldeneye, Common Pochard, Tufted Duck, Gadwall and Common Coot. A winter gull roost attracts hundreds of the commoner species, with an occasional Glaucous and Iceland.
A feeding station is maintained alongside the hide during the winter months which attracts many titmice, finches and buntings.

Mammals Most small mammals are difficult to see but live trapping has established the presence of Long-tailed Field Mouse, Short-tailed and Bank Voles, Common, Pygmy and Water Shrews. Other species which can be seen fairly regularly are Red Fox, Stoat, Weasel and Roe Deer.