Previous Field Trips

This is ancient woodland with wide rides & plenty of botanical interest. It lies to the east of the village of Biggin & has not previously been visited by our group. Entrance will be from the Scalm Lane end which is the section to best see the spectacular Silver Washed Fritillary butterfly which flies mainly in July.
As the terrain is flat, walking is easy, though in wet weather there are some muddy sections.
Ferrybridge Service St'n is where we will have a toilet stop.

We will park at Moses Country Park, where there are toilets, and will walk to Nob End SSSI. This is an ex-industrial site and hosts a range of interesting plants. We hope to see woodland helleborines as well as grassland species. The route is relatively flat and will be about 3 miles.

Leader: Julia Pearson
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am/Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £11
 

Whilst we have had many BEES visits to nearby sites, we have never made this quarry our main destination. It lies next to the railway and is accessed by a flight of steps from the track leading to Colt Park. We expect to see a range of plants connected to limestone grassland, wet flushes and quarry face. While we won't be walking very far, expect rough conditions and the limestone will be slippery in wet conditions. We expect to make a visit to a second site before returning home.

There are 3 reserves within this area - Raw Nook, Toadholes Beck and Low Moor Banks (formerly Dealburn Road), which between them provide a range of habitats.  Previously reclaimed industrial/railway sites they afford a wealth of opportunity to view the diverse range of flora and fauna within this area.  Walking is on varied terrain with some slopes to negotiate. Distance 2/3 miles

Four years ago, we were welcomed and introduced to the work of this charity which is addressing biodiversity loss in North Yorks. It will be interesting to learn about progress and to see further colonisation of this original arable site. To aid this important work a donation, (£5 suggested), would be appreciated. Easy walking, shelter and eco-toilets.

Co-ordinator: Alice Gingell              Leader: Professor David Raffaelli.
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am/Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £11

This SSSI is a fragment of lowland heath accessed by a 1km track within Forestry Commission woodland. The different habitats support a variety of plants and consequently a rich insect population. Birds include woodpeckers and woodlark. We may see lizards and adders and, with a volunteer guide, the nationally rare May Lily. There are two stiles, no formal paths, and some ground is uneven with tussocks and hollows. Access to nearby Caley Heath to look for a Yorkshire rarity, Shepherds Cress, may be possible. There is no shelter. Toilets on route.

This botanically rich limestone grassland lies between Grass Wood Lane and the river. There are toilet facilities in nearby Grassington. Paths are narrow and can be slippy in wet weather so care is needed. Distances involved are under 2 miles. Plants include wood and bloody cranesbill. 
Leader: John Gavaghan
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am/Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £10    Branch route pick up
 

We will start at the visitor centre which has toilet facilities and light refreshments. There are a variety of paths around this ex-open cast mining site. This is a good time of year for migrant birds such as warblers, other birds that may be seen include bittern and black-necked grebe.
Leader: John Gavaghan
Minibus transport; depart Culture Fusion 9.10am/Unitarian Church 9.30am.  Cost £10

This destination has been chosen in the hope of seeing the large number of Bird's-eye Primrose (and other spring flowers) which have proliferated on the lower slopes of Ingleborough. We will use the train to get there which will allow for two groups to form. The minimum you can expect to walk is just under 3 miles total, with a climb of about 500 feet. Some of the route will be uneven under foot, but it is all on well-defined paths. One group will return to Horton after we have explored the lower section of Sulber Nick.  There is a bus that connects with the mid-afternoon train in Settle.

This SSSI is important for its ancient woodlands, grasslands and flowery slopes. It lies on magnesium limestone; a third of Yorkshires’ floral species grow here. Cowslips, dog violets, early purple orchids and the less common Spring cinquefoil should be in flower. Woodpeckers, yellow hammers and bullfinch are residents, and some summer visitors may have arrived. Orange tip and Brimstones may be flying. Paths are mainly grassy and narrow with steeper sections to access the valley floor. Toilets on route.