Harrogate Biodiversity Action Plan

Status: The plan is currently under development.

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 Area Covered By The Plan

Up to 55cm tall, the male has grey upper parts with off-white body and underneath the wings. Females are a dull brown above and brown-white below, with bold dark barring across the underside of the wings and tail.

female hen harrier © Andy Hay, RSPB Images    

 www.rspb-images.com

Thistle broomrape is a parasite found on the roots of thistles (usually creeping thistle). In Britain this plant is restricted to Yorkshire and is found on road verges, rough grassland, riverbanks and flood plains with scattered scrub. In the Harrogate District most colonies are to be found in the Ure and Wharfe valleys.

thistle broomrape © Brian Morland

This is the largest newt in Britain, adults measuring approximately 6 inches in length. The male has a large crest along its’ back and tail during the breading season (March to June) , and a silver flash along the side of the tail. The female has no crest, and an orange strip along the underneath of its tail. It is dark brown, almost black above, whilst bright orange with large black spots underneath.

The great crested newt is usually found in large, well-vegetated ponds and ditches during the breeding season. Adults then leave the water and live on land, foraging during the Summer and Autumn then hibernating through the winter months.

great crested newt © Richard Sunter

It can be readily distinguished from the other two British newt species (smooth newt Triturus vulgaris and palmate newt Triturus helveticus) by its size, markings and colouration. The male smooth newt also has a crest and is therefore sometimes confused with the great crested newt. However the smooth newt only reaches approximately 4 inches and is much lighter in colour.

great crested newt © Jon Traill

This rare click beetle is a bright chestnut red, making it quite conspicuous. It inhabits grassland and heathland, where it is found on grasses, bushes, under stones and on bare sandy ground. It is only found at one site in the Harrogate District, which consists of sandy areas and rocky outcrops.

chestnut coloured click beetle © James Mortimer

Water voles are thought to be the UK’s fastest declining mammal. They are found on the banks of rivers, ditches, streams and ponds, where they feed on the vegetation. They are recognisable by their small ears, blunt nose and brown furry tail.

water vole © James Mortimer

water vole latrine © James Mortimer

Water voles are often confused with the brown rat, however this mammal has much larger and obvious ears, a more pointed nose and a long hairless tail.

water vole footprints © Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

This, one of Britain’s largest carnivores, has a long slender body with short legs, webbed feet, and a thick muscular tail. Due to its’ nocturnal habits and shy nature, the otter is rarely seen in the wild. Its’ presence is often given away by field signs such as footprints and spraint (droppings).

otter © James Mortimer

otter footprint © James Mortimer

Otters usually inhabit rivers, canals and lakes. However in some areas they are also coastal. They mainly feed on fish. Other prey items include mammals, amphibians and invertebrates such as crayfish.

otter spraint © James Mortimer

This species is found associated with open water with soft mud around the margins, or in wet sandy dunes and heaths. It has only been recorded at four sites in Yorkshire since 1990. Factors causing loss or decline include nitrate and phosphate pollution leading to an increase in growth of competing vegetation, unsympathetic management of water bodies, drainage, and introduction of competitive non-native species.

pillwort © David Holyoak, Plantlife