Upper Dunsforth Carr Nature Reserve

This reserve of around 12 hectares is a prime example of the type of marginal land that once would have been widespread in lowland Yorkshire. A Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) the reserve supports a wide variety of habitats including an excellent example of haymeadow, fen-meadow, hedgerows and wet alder carr. The Carrs are situated in an enclosed basin in the surrounding boulder clays. For millennia, the waterlogging of the ground had led to the formation of deep peat. Today, the ground quakes underfoot, and it is on this that rough grazing by cattle has led to the development of fen meadow. Areas with the taller plants such as meadowsweet, creeping willow, betony and marsh orchid occur amongst dwarf-sedge lawns.

In other areas, where grazing has long since been abandoned, wet woodland has grown up. Here, both marsh and willow tits breed, along with little owl and all three species of woodpecker. The insect life has been little studied, but is likely to be as rich as that of the plants. Rare marshland bugs and crane-flies, or daddy-long-legs, occur. Over 100 species of moth, including the day-flying, beautiful yellow underwing, have been recorded.

Upper Dunsforth Carrs is managed traditionally. Cattle are turned-out in the late summer when the ground is driest and eat away the year’s plant growth, so that the less vigorous flowers have room to grow in the following year. A major restoration project will include work to improve drainage, renovation of hedgerows, scrub clearance and control of invasive species.

Directions

Upper Dunsforth Carr is situated about three miles south of Boroughbridge, at the village of Upper Dunsforth. Turn eastwards off the B6265, signposted to Upper Dunsforth, two miles north of Litle Ouseburn. Take the first left to arrive at the reserve, just before reaching Upper Dunsforth itself. Access is through a field gate on the right. Limited parking is available on the roadside.