Timble Ings Plantation (grid ref:SE155535) is reached by taking the Otley road from the A59 at Blubberhouses. After about a mile parking is available opposite Anchor Farm (entrance to the North side of the wood) or alternatively keep on the road for another quarter of a mile and at the crossroads at the top of the hill turn right along the track (entrance to the South side of the wood). After a few hundred metres there is a lay-by with parking for four or five cars. Continue on foot either taking the track off to the left, which leads to moorland or carry on along the track through the wood, which also leads to the moorland or you can go round in a loop and come out at Anchor Farm.

The woodland is owned by Yorkshire Water Services and consists of a wide variety of trees. Conifers predominate with Spruce and Pine the commonest with Japanese Larch also present. There are small areas of Beech and Silver Birch and Alder can be found along some of the rides. Some of the recent clear-felled areas have been planted up with broadleaved trees that will add further diversity for the future.

new ride cleared on south side

In the more open parts of the wood the ground is covered with Heather, Foxglove and Bracken and many of the rides have a variety of flowering plants along them. There are a few small streams running through the wood as well as some boggy areas and a couple of purposely dug pools. In 2005 a partnership between the Washburn Wildlife Advisory Group, Yorkshire Water and the Nidderdale AONB saw some new large pools be created as well as some ride clearance which will hopefully add even more diversity to the site. It is hoped that funding for further work will be obtained to make the whole area even more attractive to wildlife.

newly created pool
The woodland is flanked on the three sides by open moorland consisting of Heather, Bracken, Juncus and rank grassland. The eastern side of the wood backs onto fields as well as Beecroft Moor Plantation, which leads down to the shore of Fewston Reservoir.
For many years local birders have been watching this site and these efforts have been rewarded with many quality bird sightings as well as an interesting selection of mammal, butterfly and dragonfly records.
As this is a working forest the habitats are often changing which is reflected in the species present. When there were large areas of newly planted trees on the edge of the plantation Tree Pipits and Whinchats were very common, Short-eared Owls were regular and Grasshopper Warblers were seen. Now these species are scarce here with the exception of Tree pipit of which a few pairs raise young in the more open areas and woodland edge.
During the summer months the wood can be alive with the songs of Blackcaps, Redstarts, Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers. Garden Warblers have been noted and Wood Warblers have been reported singing. For three years in the late 1980s Turtle Doves were heard purring from the track on the North side, not far from Anchor Farm. Further into the wood, by the small bridge a Great Grey Shrike was seen for a few weeks in 1993. On summer evenings the sound of ‘roding’ Woodcock and male Cuckoos are commonplace

The whole area can be fairly good for raptors with Sparrowhawks and Kestrels regular, along with increased sightings of Common Buzzard and Red Kite. Tawny Owls are common and Long-eared Owl has been recorded. Little Owls are seen regularly around the edge of the woodland and in surrounding farmland. Out over the moors the occasional Peregrine, Hobby and Marsh or Hen Harrier can be seen. In some years Ospreys are recorded as they rest on migration whilst the winter of 1994/95 yielded some fantastic views of Rough-Legged Buzzards. As birders came to enjoy these magnificent raptors other quality birds such as Snow Bunting, Black Redstart, Raven and Hawfinch were found. Two Hawfinches were also noted at Anchor Farm in the 2004/05 winter.

Huge flocks of Woodpigeons, Fieldfares and Redwings can be seen coming into roost at certain times of the year and the plantation is very attractive to roosting parties of Waxwings in invasion years. The whole area can be very productive for flocks of Redpoll, Siskin and Chaffinch whilst Crossbill and Brambling can appear in force at certain times. Small parties of Bullfinch are often noted and flocks of tits and Goldcrests are usually in evidence.

The surrounding moorland has its fair share of Curelw, Meadow Pipit, Skylark, Lapwing, Greylag Goose and Snipe. Whinchats, Stonechats and Wheatears are sometimes present and scarce birds such as Whooper Swan, Rock Pipit, Pink Footed Goose and Grey Plover. The Southwestern corner of the wood can be a very good vantage point in which to record visible migration during the autumn months. As the birds fly up the Western flank of the wood they gradually gain height and fly very low overhead at this point. Meadow Pipits can fly past in their hundreds, along with smaller numbers of finches, thrushes, Skylarks and hirundines.

A healthy selection of dragonflies has been seen at Timble including Golden-Ringed which breeds on the streams. It is hoped that the new pools will attract even more species to the site. It is also hoped that these pools will also provide habitat for Water Voles. Butterflies can be much in evidence with large numbers of Commas being seen in summer and Green Hairstreaks can be seen in good numbers out on the moors. Roe Deer are common throughout the area and Red Deer have been noted on a few occasions. Other mammals such Stoat, Weasel and Fox have been seen and Badger prints have been found on numerous visits.
In addition to the habitat creation work, Yorkshire Water have been very cooperative in many ways regarding this site such as supplying maps and ringing permits and they have purchased some Kestrel boxes, two of which are in the Timble area.

A Barn Owl box is located not far from this site and it is hoped these will be used in the near future.

barn owl and kestrel box
these nest boxes are part of a much wider programme in increasing the numbers of both these species in and around the BOG area. It is hoped on-going monitoring of the site and further habitat management will increase the attractiveness of the site to many commoner species and possibly scarcer ones such as Nightjar and Woodlark. All in all, this site has been a very productive for many years as well as being a very scenic and atmospheric place to be and has the potential to be even better in the future.

It would be appreciated if anyone birdwatching in this area would submit their sightings to the BOG recorder, Mark Doveston at mark@doveston.fsworld.co.uk or to andy.jowett@btopenworld.com

by Andy Jowett