This article is incomplete. This article is missing one or more sections. You can help the BirdForum Opus by expanding it. |
Overview
The moor is 1420Ha in area and comprises several freshwater lakes and ponds along with willow carr and birch woodland, however the major part of the moor is old peat workings. These areas of exposed peat are slowly regenerating into the wetlands that they were 4,000 years ago. There are several paths onto the moor that allow you to safely traverse the area but care should be taken if leaving the paths as it is very easy to lose your bearings.
Birds
Notable Species
The area is one of the better locations for woodlark in Yorkshire, and also holds breeding nightjars in most years.
Rarities
For the past 3 years (2009,10 &11) a Red-necked Grebe has taken up residence on Ten Acre Lake at the Northern Edge of the moor during the spring and summer months
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Black-necked Grebe, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Mute Swan, Whooper Swan, Pink-footed Goose, Common Shelduck, Greylag Goose, Eurasian Teal, Mallard, Marsh Harrier, Common Buzzard, Honey Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin, Pheasant, Moorhen, Common Coot, Ringed Plover, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Black-headed Gull, Common Wood Pigeon, Eurasian Collared Dove, Common Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl, European Nightjar, Common Swift, Green Woodpecker, Woodlark, Eurasian Skylark, Sand Martin, Barn Swallow, House Martin, Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, European Robin, Eurasian Blackbird, Mistle Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Eurasian Reed Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Common Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Yellowhammer, Reed Bunting, Corn Bunting
Other Wildlife
Mammals that may be seen on the moor include Roe Deer, and Red Fox.
The moor is arguably one of the best places to see Adder in Yorkshire, whilst other reptiles are Grass Snake, and Common Lizard.
Butterflies recorded here include Brimstone, Small Copper, and Speckled Wood, whilst Odanata found on the moor includeBroad-bodied Chaser, Four-spotted Chaser and Black Darter . Other notable invertebrates are the Mire Pill Beetle once thought extinct and the Giant Raft Spider.