Members of the Society were invited, at its meeting, to take a 200 mile ramble around the Yorkshire Dales by Dr. Tim Thom, Senior Wildlife Conservation Officer of Yorkshire Dales National Park (YDNP). Members were reassured that it would be a virtual journey and they could remain seated. His presentation, aided by slides, was entitled “Wildlife of the Yorkshire Dales”.

Dr. Thom began by outlining the many projects undertaken by the YDNP. Dr. Thom described how he and his team were deeply involved in many areas of the National Park such as the Built Environment, Nesting Birds, Rivers and Streams, Woodlands, the Limestone country, Moorland, and Bats and Caves. The team was also responsible for specific projects which included meadow restoration, the Dormouse project, encouragement of Red Squirrels, Juniper propagation and the Yorkshire Peat Project.

The YDNP plays a vital role in the planning processes. Bat conservation was a key factor when considering planning applications with the planning authorities. Dr. Thom referred to the UK Diversity Action Plan and told members that Starlings and House Sparrows were now on the Endangered Species List. They are now no longer classed as common species in the UK. He described how an earlier Hen Harrier project had produced six chicks but since then there has not been any breeding records in the Dales. Small areas of the Dales had been given over to the regeneration of Juniper but this was proving to be a slow process as some Junipers did not produce sufficient germinating seedlings.

Dr. Thom went on to show members the degrading effects of earlier trench digging in peat areas. Such trenches had previously been thought to be a good idea to drain the land. However, these trenches had now become highly eroded. Various projects are now underway to try and return these important areas to their natural state. The Dormouse Project has been successful. Records now show that these delightful small mammals have increased in number. Dr. Thom described how there were now two Red Squirrel projects in the area. One had been seen on a bird feeder in a garden in Hawes. There are also records from Greenfield at the top of Wharfedale.

Further details of the above projects and others can be found on the YDNP website www.natureinthedales.org.uk

The Society’s next meeting, at 7.00pm on Saturday 30th January, is entitled “Sustainability – Zero Footprint Living” by David Rhodes.