Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting Nature Reserve

Bishop Monkton Railway Cutting lies on land that once was the Harrogate to Ripon railway line, part of the former London and North Eastern Railway (LNER), which was closed in 1967.

What was once bare ground after the closure of the railway is now developing into an interesting habitat with plants such as bird’s-foot trefoil beginning to grow on the thin soil layer. Over a hundred and seventy plant species have been recorded, many of which provide a colourful display in early summer. Common spotted orchids, kidney vetch and milkwort are amongst the species that grow on the tracks. This array of flora and the shelter provided by the cutting have formed conditions perfect for butterflies, in total nineteen species have been recorded including gatekeeper and comma butterflies. Seventy moth species have also been recorded. Birds that regularly breed onsite include the whitethroat and willow warbler filling the air with delightful birdsong. A habitat is provided for early season insects by two willows that grow on the reserve.

Management of the site aims to conserve the plants that have started to grow on the limestone soil, on which a unique combination of species grows. This is done by keeping the track free of scrub, which means removing tree saplings and plants that would otherwise compete with the plant species valued in this habitat, and would eventually lead to their decline. This job is sometimes carried out for us by rabbits when their population numbers are high! The higher parts of the reserve have been left to allow for this scrub habitat to develop; here hawthorn and bramble dominate providing a shelter barrier for the track below and habitat for birds to nest.

Directions

The reserve is approximately west of the village of Bishop Monkton. From Harrogate, take the Bishop Monkton road turning east off the A61 Ripon road; continue over the hump-backed bridge towards the village. Turn round and return to park off the road on the left verge, well away from the bridge, which is 'blind' and used by fast traffic.

Enter the reserve by a farm gate close to the bridge and a stile about 20 yards along the track.