Category: North York Moors
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White Hill
A large swathe of clear felling on White Hill. It may be a coincidence but the clearance is almost exactly on the disturbed ground of the 1872 landslip when the Stokesley to Helmsley road was covered to a depth of up to 24 feet with rocks, shale and soil. The argument about who should repair…
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Dryads’ Saddle
Dryads were tree spirits of Ancient Greek protected by the gods whose wrath befell anyone who damages a tree without first appeasing these shy and elusive nymphs. They would presumably use this bracket fungus to sit on when riding their ponies. It is quite common and supposedly edible when young but quickly becomes hard and…
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Two months to the Glorious Twelfth
While mother hen feigns an injured wing tempting me off the dusty track, and flying fast and low above the ling, the cock screams ‘Go back, go back, go back’ their moorfowl chick lies perfectly still but in just two months ready for the kill. Open Space Web-Map builder Code
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Roseberry from Newton Moor
A cracking morning. Out and back before the crowds make the pilgrimage to the summit. Open Space Web-Map builder Code
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First of the year’s cottongrass
A glorious morning, blue skies with contrails lingering. And not a breath of wind. On Great Ayton Moor.
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The Pheasant vs The Lapwing
In the early 80s, I worked on the tropical island of Borneo for 18 months. It was on my first run on the moors after I returned that I realised just how quiet they were. In the jungle, there was a constant cacophony of sound, so much you tended to become oblivious to it. Here…
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Hanging Stone, Ryston Nab
Hanging Stone, overlooking Hutton Lowcross. one of the many Deltaic sandstone outcrops along the scarp of the moors.The name is pretty common, presumably because like other crags from below it appears to hang over the valley. Ryston Nab, the nose on which its on, has a more interesting name being documented in the 14th century…
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A view from Godfalter Hill
Upsall Hall, in the foreground, was built around 1873 for John George Swan, a Teesside ironmaster. It has superb views south to Roseberry across Morton Carrs. From the 1960s the Grade II listed building was used as a day centre for people with learning disabilities but has now been sold reverting to a family home.…
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Easby Moor
It’s that mellow time of the year with every other field growing rapeseed. Used for animal feeds, vegetable oil and biodiesel. Easby Moor in the distance with Captain Cook’s monument. Open Space Web-Map builder Code
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Moorhen and chick
I don’t normally linger at ponds and wetlands. Usually, I’m too anxious to gain height onto the moors and fells. But I did dally a while at the small pond today at the Pinchinthorpe Walkway and was amazed at the amount of life there. This moorhen had two chicks, this one being fed by its…