Wildlife at Harwood Dale Forest
North Yorkshire
England
Cloughton and Scarborough are the nearest towns or villages.
An area of coniferous woodland, mainly pines and spruces. There are no formal facilities. It can be an interesting wood for birdwatching and the ponds and ditches have a good dragonfly fauna.
Mammals: Roe deer, rabbits and grey squirrels are the mammals most likely to be seen in Harwood Dale forest. An early morning or evening visit to this usually quiet woodland is most likely to produce sightings of Roe. Badgers and foxes also live in the woods and the large areas of young trees support a big population of mice voles and shrews - good food for birds of prey. We have information about Roe deer
Birds: Harwood Dale Forest is very near the coast and is a good wood for migrant species arriving from abroad. Wheatear are seen here in spring and autumn and it is a good place to see nightjars and woodcock. We have information about Nightjar
Insects and reptiles: Adders and common lizard frequent the roads and rides but are elusive and rarely seen. Floristically rich road verges support good populations of butterflies such as peacock, ringlet, meadow brown and painted lady. Dragonfly species include, golden-ringed, broad-bodied chaser, common and southern aeshna. We have information about Adder
Habitats: Most of the forest was planted on former heather moor and agricultural land from the 1930's onwards. The forest rides and clearfell sites revert to upland acid heath with ling, bell heather and cross-leaved heath. Sundew and butterwort appear in wet flushes. The limestone roads support a rich flora including common spotted orchid. The forest habitat is mainly coniferous with stands of trees of all ages from 1 to 70.
How to get there:
Harwood Dale Forest is located on the A171 Whitby to Scarborough road about 3 miles north of the village of Cloughton
Enter through:
The Falcon Inn
Facilities:
Contact:
Brian Walker
Environment Officer
01751 472771
e-mail: nym@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
What's of interest
Parts of Harwood Dale Forest will, over the coming decades change to native woodlands. If you are interested in why and how we will make these changes check out the link to Native Woods.
What to see now
Please let us know if you see or hear TWITE in the forest. We are trying to find out more about this bird,a close relative of the linnet.
Did you know
The scientific name for golden-ringed dragonfly is Cordulegaster boltonii - literally translated this means 'Bolton's pot-bellied'!
What else is here
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