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Wildlife at Low & High Staindale Dalby Forest
North Yorkshire
England
Thornton-le-Dale is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SE 880904
 The steep-sided "stony dales" surmounted by the Bridestones (National Trust) and the Adderstone create an area attractive to visitors and wildlife alike. A cross section of coniferous and broadleaved woodland of all ages along with unimproved pastureland and a small lake provide a wide range of habitats.
Mammals: Visitors to the area at quieter times of day and year might catch a glimpse of the common but elusive roe deer. Otter pass through the area and water voles, now a very scarce animal, have been seen at Staindale Lake. Grey squirrels are frequent, especially at High Staindale Bird Feeding Station. We have information about Roe deer and Otter
Birds: A good place for the birdwatching beginner is the bird-feeding station at High Staindale. Great, blue, coal and long-tailed tits can all be seen along with chaffinches (very tame), bullfinches, greenfinches and goldfinches. Wrens and Goldcrests can also be seen. In summer the area around the feeding station is home to pied wagtails, redstarts and spotted flycatchers. With so many small birds around its not surprising that sparrowhawks make appearances in the area. You can view a list of birds seen at the site by visiting Scarborough Field naturalists website( See 'useful sites'). You can submit your own records for inclusion on the list to the contact at the foot of this page.
Insects and reptiles: Common lizard and adder are around but rarely seen except on the warmest slopes. Common butterflies such as peacock and small tortoiseshell frequent the area along with orange tip and common blue. Please let us know if you see green hairstreak. We have information about Adder Habitats: As well as coniferous forest in a variety of structure and ages native broadleaved woodland can be seen along the stream and at Bridestones (National Trust). Staindale Lake was created in 1976 and at it's eastern end are the remnants of a wet pasture with plants such as greater burnet and ragged robin.
How to get there:
Follow Dalby Forest Drive from Dalby Forest Visitor Centre and Shop for about three and a half miles. You will arrive at Low Staindale first. High Staindale is 400 metres further on.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Facilities:
    
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An easy access trail follows the lakeside and designated disabled parking is provided for the popular 'bird-feeding' station. |
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Activities
  
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Staindale Lake has a resident population of mallard and tufted ducks as well as Canada geese. Occasional visitors include dabchick, goldeneye and heron. The bird feeding station provides close-up views of many woodland species including siskin, great-spotted woodpecker, bullfinch and coal tit. |
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Other places to go in Dalby Forest
Bickley Gate
Crosscliff
Haygate
Adderstone Field
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre and Shop
Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Education & Meeting Room
Contact:
Brian Walker
Environment Officer
01751 472771
e-mail: nym@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
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What's of interest
Make a point of having a look at the Staindale Ash, an ancient tree by the forest drive at High Staindale. The Commission is committed to caring for historic trees and woods in it's ownership. In North York Moors Forest District we are restoring several thousand hectares of forest to native woodland. If you are interested in this work click on the link to 'Native Woods'.
What to see now A water rail can once again be seen at the bird-feeding station. This uncommon relative of the moorhen is not often seen.
Did you know Deadwood is a very important wildlife resource, 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.
What's on
What else is here
Related pages
Useful sites
Find out more
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