Wildlife at Langdale Forest
North Yorkshire
England
Scarborough is the nearest town or village.
OS Grid Reference: SE926926
Langdale is a large, mainly coniferous, forest of several thousand hectares. It lies on the southern edge of the North York Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest. Although dominated by conifers it is a very interesting area.
Mammals: Roe deer is the most common large animal likely to be encountered. Whilst foxes are common they are rarely seen. Badgers are uncommon in Langdale because of the nature of soil. The forest is on the edge of a major site for water vole on the North York Moors and work is being undertaken to improve the habitat for this increasingly rare mammal. We have information about Roe deer
Birds: Langdale Forest has extensive areas where the tree crop has been harvested. Known as clear-fells these sites form the major habitat for nightjar in North Yorkshire. Many pairs nest in Langdale from early May to August. Rather surprisingly the bullfinch, a bird rapidly declining in numbers in Britain, is common in coniferous forests and they are frequently seen in Langdale. Turtle dove is also a frequent forest nester. We have information about Nightjar
Insects and reptiles: Adders, common lizard and slow worm can all be seen in Langdale Forest by the careful (and lucky) observer. Small pearl bordered fritillary butterflies are common in the valleys where their foodplants, violets, are found. The star of the forest has to be the glow-worm. This little beetle puts in an appearance in small numbers each summer - but you have to stay up late to see them. We have information about Adder
Habitats: This is principally a coniferous forest, however it is dissected by a number of streams and there are numerous 'wet flushes' and springs that add diversity. Within the forest boundary is May Moss an internationally important mire where extensive research into the climate and plant history of the North York Moors has been going on for many years.
How to get there:
By road, take the A171 north from Scarborough, follow signs for Hackness, then Langdale End. North of Langdale End follow the narrow lane signed 'Birch Hall'. 'Moorsbus' services run to Langdale End throughout the summer, click the link to the North York Moors National Park for details.
Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)
Enter through:
Birch Hall
Contact:
Brian Walker
Environment Officer
01751 472771
e-mail: nym@forestry.gsi.gov.uk
What's of interest
The way we manage forests is changing rapidly and Langdale Forest was a product of the twentieth century. Future plans might see us producing a high quality timber product on about half the current area with the rest of the forest covered by more natural woodland and other habitats. If you are intersted in this work click on the link to Native Woods.
What else is here
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