Nature and wildlife

The landscape of the Yorkshire Dales is heavily influenced by the affects of glacial ice which has resulted in the expanses of limestone pavement, dramatic waterfalls and the distinctive shape of many of the valleys. This has also created internationally important habitats, and rare species.  There are the limestone grasslands of the southern Dales with their close cropped appearance, in which many unusual lime loving plants thrive. These include bird’s-foot trefoil, wild thyme, rock-rose, autumn gentian, bloody crane's-bill and mountain everlasting.

In the valley bottoms are flower rich hay meadows and pastures which are a mass of colour through June and July. These meadows are formed through the use of traditional farming techniques including a lack of fertilisers and late cutting for hay rather than silage.

The higher areas of the Dales are dominated by heather moorland much of which is managed for grouse shooting. You are also likely to come across many other birds, especially in spring and summer. There is the curlew with its distinctive cry and curved bill, and the lapwings with their ‘drunken’ flight, as well as more unusual birds such as merlin and golden plover. These birds breed in spring and it is important to stick to the legal trails to minimise disturbance.

You can find out more about the wildlife of the area by looking at the Nature in the Dales site.