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Wildlife at Dalby Forest
North Yorkshire
England
Thornton-Le-Dale is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SE855878
 Dalby Forest is situated on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park. The southern part of the forest is divided by a number of valleys creating a 'Rigg and Dale' landscape whilst to the north the forest sits on the upland plateau. Although comprising mostly pines and spruces there are many broadleaf trees such as oak, beech, ash, alder and hazel both in the valleys and on the 'Riggs'. Clear streams arising in springs run north and south out of the forest. The forest is a home for birds such as the crossbill and that elusive summer visitor the nightjar. Roe deer abound and badgers, the symbol of the forest, are a very common but nocturnal resident. The Forest Drive provides access to this outstanding landscape. Formed in the Ice Age and shaped by the people from the Bronze Age to the present day Dalby is very much a forest worth visiting.
Mammals: Dalby Forest has large populations of many mammals, most of which are rarely seen by visitors. The largest common animal is roe deer and the smallest is the pygmy shrew. The forest has been a centre of research into bats for many years. Otters have made a comeback in the last ten years. We have information about Roe deer, Badger and Otter
Birds: The forest is a diverse place with birds from many habitats. As well as the ever present blue and great tits and the more common migrant warblers such as chiff chaff and willow warbler the forest is popular with herons, nightjars, sparrowhawks and lots of other birds. We have information about Nightjar
Insects and reptiles: There are lots of sunny limestone banks favoured by the many insects and reptiles that enjoy basking in the sun. The forest is the only site in England for a rare soldier fly! We have information about Adder Habitats: Dalby Forest has a wide range of habitats not just forest. There is everything from unimproved pasture and fen to open heath and ancient semi-natural woodland. There are acid and lime rich streams and two small lakes. For an overview of the many forest habitats a walk round Deepdale Habitat trail is not to be missed.
How to get there:
Access is via Thornton le Dale on the A170 Helmsley to Scarborough road. Watch for brown tourist signs. Access is also possible from the north of Scarborough via minor roads through Hackness and Langdale End.
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Have you got space in your car or need a lift? Check these websites, www.carshareyork.com, www.hullcarshare.com and www.isanyonegoingto.com.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap) Enter through:
Bickley Gate
Crosscliff
Low & High Staindale
Haygate
Adderstone Field
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre and Shop
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Education & Meeting Room
Facilities:
        Activities:
          
Contact:
Brian Walker
Environment Officer
01751 472771
e-mail: nym@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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What's of interest
There is a bird hide and bat hibernaculum on the Dalby Beck Trail and bird feeding station at High Staindale.
We have just revised our local policy for managing deadwood in local forests if you are interested click on the link to 'Deadwood'. This is a .317kb .pdf file.
Did you know Before the present forest Dalby was the centre of a huge rabbit warrening industry that provided fur for making, amongst other things, felt hats.
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