Strensall Common Nature Reserve

The reserve was purchased from the Ministry of Defence in 1978. Strensall Common forms part of an internationally important lowland heath. It comprises a number of different habitats, the principal ones being wet heath, dry heath and birch/oak woodland. There are usually areas of standing water, particularly in winter. Over 150 plant species are found here, perhaps the most noteworthy being marsh cinquefoil, marsh gentian, round-leaved sundew and petty whin.
Birds number some 60 species of which about 40 breed regularly including curlew, occasionally whinchat, and woodland species such as green and great spotted woodpecker. Insects include green and purple hairstreak butterflies, dark-bordered beauty moth, bog bush cricket and glow worm, as well as biting midges! Over 100 different species of spider have been recorded. Mammal records include fox, hare and harvest mouse.

Viviparous lizards can be seen in good numbers, sunning themselves; adders occur but care should be taken if encountered.

Strensall Common lies in a very shallow depression in the glacial clays which has subsequently been filled with lacustrine sands. The soils are peaty and acidic apart from occasional areas of raised leached sand.

The Trust works to maintain Strensall Common as a lowland heath. Part of the reserve has been fenced off and Hebridean sheep and Highland cattle graze the land during the summer months to keep down encroaching vegetation. Birch and bracken are also controlled.

Directions

Strensall Common is approximately six miles north of York. From the York direction, take the Strensall turning off the A1237 York ring road. Follow this road to the edge of Strensall village then take the Flaxton road. After almost a mile you reach a cattle grid. Cross this grid onto Strensall Common. On your left where a small road leads to a railway crossing, cars may be parked. Alternatively continue along the main road and park near the corner where the road turns away from the railway. Cars should not be taken across the railway track. Permissive footpaths cross the reserve, as does the Ebor Way.