Raincliffe meadow is maintained by 'Scarborough Conservation Volunteers' who work hard to improve and maintain an area of outstanding beauty. The group is always on the hunt for new members so please take a look at their website and look them up on facebook. The chosen location for this cache takes you to a beautiful meadow within Raincliffe Woods, offering great scenery and an opportunity to view a variety of woodland birds. There is a bird hide and bird feeding station at the site, it would be wonderful if you could take up some bird feed during your visit. There are hooks to hang feeders or just throw something on the floor.
Situated on a moderate, north facing slope, to the north west of Scarborough centre (5 km), and this woodland creation site (January 1998) is located within the much larger mixed woodland area of Raincliffe Woods. Most of the surrounding woods are designated as Planted Ancient Woodland with some areas of Ancient Semi Natural Woodland. The site was formerly improved grassland, consisting predominantly of improved ryegrass. Planted with native woodland species including oak, ash, rowan, birch, hawthorn, hazel and holly, planted in either 1.2m deer tubes or 0.75m shrub guards, which were removed in 2009. Around the new woodland planting, which extends to 3.12 hectares, there are pockets of mature native broadleaved woodland, composed of ash, oak, birch, rowan, holly, hazel, hawthorn, blackthorn and holly, along with two very small areas of quite species rich unimproved grassland, with wet flushes and occasional native natural regeneration. Planting within the woodland was grant aided at the full stocking rate under the Woodland Grant Scheme III (expired 2003). The entire site is enclosed within an old stock fence erected by the previous owner, this will not be replaced as the site is completely surrounded by woodland and fencing is no longer required.
Congratulations to 'Mattgas' on your 1st FTF!!!