Overview
With over 200 species of birds, this nature reserve on the site of old sand and gravel quarries, is recognized as North Yorkshire's best wetland grassland site for birds. It lies between the villages of West Tanfield and Nosterfield, about 6.5 miles north of Ripon.
Birds
Notable Species
Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Northern Shoveler, Garganey, Tufted Duck, 25 species of wader, including Eurasian Oystercatcher, Pied Avocet, Northern Lapwing, Eurasian Curlew, Common Redshank, Little Ringed Plover, also Stock Dove and Western Barn Owl, all breeding on the Reserve. Eurasian Tree Sparrow also breeds in nestboxes on the boundary of the Reserve. In Spring and Summer, there are Yellow Wagtail, Eurasian Skylark, Lesser Whitethroat, Corn Bunting, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer
Rarities
Bewick's Swan, Greater White-fronted Goose, Brent Goose, Bean Goose, American Wigeon, Ring-necked Duck, Smew, Glossy Ibis, Great White Egret, Spoonbill, Slavonian Grebe, Black-necked Grebe, Red-necked Grebe, Honey Buzzard, American Golden Plover, Temminck's Stint, Buff-breasted Sandpiper, Pectoral Sandpiper, White-rumped Sandpiper, Baird's Sandpiper, Broad-billed Sandpiper, Red-necked Phalarope, Grey Phalarope, Common Crane, Black-winged Stilt, Leach's Storm Petrel, Sabine's Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Ring-billed Gull, Caspian Gull, White-winged Black Tern, Long-eared Owl, Pallid Swift, European Bee-eater, Shore Lark, Great Grey Shrike, Woodchat Shrike, Black Redstart, Yellow-browed Warbler, Common Firecrest,
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Greylag Goose, Canada Goose, Mute Swan, Mallard, Northern Shoveler, Garganey, Gadwall, Common Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Merlin (on passage), Hobby (in summer), Gray Heron, Little Egret, Eurasian Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Pied Avocet, Eurasian Oystercatcher, Northern Lapwing, Common Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Common Sandpiper (on passage/migration), Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper (on passage/migration), Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Eurasian Curlew, Ruff (on passage/migration), Black-headed Gull, Common Wood Pigeon, Stock Dove, Western Barn Owl (breeding), Little Owl, Common Kestrel, Carrion Crow, Eurasian Skylark, Marsh Tit, Bank Swallow, Barn Swallow, European Starling, Western Yellow Wagtail, White Wagtail, Song Thrush, Sedge Warbler, Common Reed Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Tree Sparrow, European Goldfinch, Eurasian Linnet, Yellowhammer
Other Wildlife
Noctule Bats, 27 species of butterflies, 479 species of moths, Green Tiger Beetle and many other beetle species, dragonflies and damselflies. Over 300 species of plants have been recorded, including 7 species of orchids, all naturally occurring.
Site Information
History and Use
Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve, designated in 2001, is managed by the Lower Ure Conservation Trust, which works hard to support and promote local wildlife. Birdwatchers were attracted to the area in the mid 1970s and early 1980s, as the quarrying reached down to the water table and birds were attracted to the lakes which were formed. It was designated as a Site of Importance for Birds (SINC) in 1993.
Areas of Interest
- Nosterfield Quarry, nearby, is a working sand and gravel quarry, operated by Tarmac. It has a visitor centre, viewing screens and permissive paths to view the lakes.
Access and Facilities
- The site can be accessed on foot at all times
- Parking for about 20 cars, with a viewing area to watch the Reserve from your car
- Main Hide and Interpretation Building overlooking Main Lake - wheelchair accessible
- Tanfield Hide at southern edge of Reserve - wheelchair accessible
- Northern Viewing Screen overlooking North Lake, open at all times
- Main and Tanfield Hides are open during normal daylight working hours
- 1.5km of permissive footpaths, of which 500m is wheelchair accessible
- Dogs on short leads welcome, if owners clean up after them!
- There are no toilets at the Reserve
- For directions on how to get there, see below in External Links
Contact Details
Lower Ure Conservation Trust
Sharow Grange
Sharow, Ripon
N. Yorks, HG4 5BN
Email: simon.warwick@luct.org.uk
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 28 April 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Nosterfield_Local_Nature_Reserve
