It’s the Pits!
The cache, a small camo-taped tablet pot, is hidden at one of the access gates to this lovely Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve which lies alongside the beautiful river Wharfe just east of Ilkley.
It has a variety of habitats and is a great place to observe birds, plants, butterflies and dragonflies - and if you’re really lucky you may even spot an otter!
The cache can be done as a park ‘n’ grab but (after finding the cache!) an hour or two spent in the reserve will be very rewarding.
To reach the cache: park @ N 53 55.547 W 1 46.942 in the lay-by adjacent to the sign 'Public Footpath to River'. Then walk the 100m or so along the road to the cache location – a gate adjacent to an alternative access to the reserve.
The reserve is owned by Bradford Council and since 2007 has been managed by a small group of volunteers from the Wharfedale Naturalists Society (WNS). Management of the site has involved control of invasive weeds, woodland management, footpath maintenance, litter picking, scrub clearance, wildlife surveys and a range of other activities to try and improve the site and maximise biodiversity.
History
The site is mainly artificial, originating from former gravel pits. The river gravels were of good quality and were an important local source for the construction industry. The pits ceased to be worked in 1970s and flooded. Ownership reverted to Ilkley District Council who in-filled the lagoons in the early 1970s. Tipping was widely encouraged and various infill materials came from across the district, including building rubble (such as the former Bridge Street railway bridge - parts of which are visible on the edge of the lagoon) soil and treated sewage residues.
Plant materials and soil from parks, gardens and building sites have added to the sites bio-diversity. Tipping was eventually stopped when the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (CBMDC) took over ownership of the eastern site in 1974. The lagoon is leased from the Council by Ilkley Angling Association.
The site has been well monitored by the Wharfedale Naturalists Society (WNS) over the years and despite its artificial origins has developed considerable botanical diversity. The CBMDC commissioned the West Yorkshire Ecological Advisory Service (now known as West Yorkshire Ecology) initially in June 1997 and again in May 2003 to survey the site. With over 300 vascular plant species and the varied nature of the habitats helping to support good faunal diversity, the site was designated a Site of Ecological or Geological Importance (SEGI). This designation recognizes the site's regional importance and protects it from development.
The site’s biodiversity deteriorated since the 2003 survey, with an infestation of weeds especially Himalayan Balsam and Japanese Knotweed. Also, bramble, hawthorn and willows grew to the detriment of ground cover. The once extensive orchids for which the site was famous declined to a few flowering plants. The site also lost many of the interesting 'occasionals' that failed to establish themselves. Concerned by this, in May 2007 WNS started to work with CBMDC to develop a management plan and run regular volunteer working parties.
In 2013 with the support of Natural England, the site was declared a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and on Tuesday 6 May 2014 the Lord Mayor of Bradford performed the official opening (see photo in Gallery). This is only the 3rd LNR in the Bradford District – the 2nd being the nearby Sun Lane reserve in Burley.
Use the following links for information on the flora and fauna of the site: bats, birds, butterflies, otter-mink and plant habitats & species.
While you are close to the river, keep an eye out for otters which are occasionally seen along the banks. The elusive common or Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) has sleek brown fur, which is often paler on the underside, and a long lithe body with a thick tail and short legs. Adaptations for an aquatic lifestyle include webbed feet, the ability to close the small ears and the nose when under water, and very dense, short fur which traps a layer of air to insulate the animal. Many sensitive hairs ('vibrissae') frame the snout and these help the otter to locate prey. The vocalisations of the common otter include a high-pitched whistle between a female and her cubs, and twittering noises. For more information see here.
With the varied habitats in the nature reserve it is a great spot for bird-watching and the birds seen in recent years either observed on the reserve, on the river Wharfe or in the skies above (update Feb 16) has some 58 species.
Of those, some which you may see on or by the lagoon include the following 12 species of water birds. In your log, it would be great if you could note (even photograph!) which of these (or any other species) you saw during your visit. The information would be passed on to WNS for their records.
Coot (Fulica atra), Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Goosander or Common Merganser (Mergus merganser), Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea), Greylag goose (Anser anser), Mallard or Wild Duck (Anas platyrhynchos), Common moorhen (Gallinula chloropus), Mute swan (Cygnus olor), Tufted duck (Aythya fuligula), Little grebe or Dabchick (Tachybaptus ruficollis ruficollis) (spring/summer visitor), Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) (winter visitor), Little egret (Egretta garzetta garzetta) (unusual - but increasingly commonly seen)