I ordered the new edition of YWT’s guidebook “Discover Yorkshire’s Wildlife” and was delighted that it arrived in just a couple of days. My first impressions were positive as it is a weighty tome with over 250 pages filled with glossy photos, maps and “magic moment” tips on what to see and when to see it. I swiftly scanned the reserve list, and I was delighted to see that my nearest YWT reserve, Weybeck’s Pasture was there.

The guide summary states that “A summer visit to Weybeck’s Pasture reveals a rich, rectangular field full of flowers and butterflies, sloping down to the River Skirfare in the midst of glorious upper Dales countryside”.

I resolved to head out straight after work, and loaded the car with camera, lenses and binoculars. Alas, just as I was about to start, I spotted that several thousand of my honeybees were swarming and currently circling above my neighbours garden! I hurried after them and watched as they settled in a garden a few houses away. I rushed home for my bee suit and a box to collect them. Frustratingly, it was almost dark by the time I got them into a new hive in my garden.

The next day, as soon as I finished work (and as the bees seemed happy in their new hive) I headed off to Weybeck’s Pasture. The first challenge was to find the right field, this was relatively easy as it was in full flower, while all the fields around it had been cut. Next, I had to find a safe place to park. There is quite a decent layby, but I initially missed it and parked on a wide verge. Then a 100m or so stroll along the quiet road to the entrance field gate. As yet there is no YWT reserve notice board and the field gate was padlocked, I was glad to have the guidebook to confirm that I could visit.

I decided on an anti-clockwise circuit of the field, turning right as soon as I was on the reserve. There is no path and the going was quite rough with long grass and lots of thistles. As soon as I reached the small beck the flowers were amazing.

I know the local flowers from footpaths, bridleways and open access land, but nothing had prepared me for Weybeck’s Pasture. The wide variety of flowers really bowled me over. Then I started spotting the bees, flies, birds, butterflies and even a deer -  Gosh, this is a very special place...

Walking along the road on the reserve side of the drystone wall, I could see several areas where it had been recently repaired by Yorkshire Wildlife Trust volunteers. Only the different colour of the walling stone and the recently flattened areas of vegetation gave it away. I did take photos, but you really cannot see the join to the original wall, as it has been repaired so professionally.

After a circuit of the field I returned to the beck to try to snap the dipper I’d seen there...

The splendid new YWT guide book gave me a great introduction to Weybeck’s Pasture reserve, as the guide suggests, combine your visit with a trip to nearby Grass Woods.

Discover Yorkshire’s Wildlife (RRP £14.99) is available in all good Yorkshire bookstores and from Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s online shop here. Copies are available for FREE to all new members who join Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (ywt.org.uk/membership or 01904 659570) and choose to pay by Direct Debit. Existing members can buy a copy at 30% discount by contacting the team (supporter.services@ywt.org.uk or 01904 659570)

All the profit from purchasing this book will go directly back into nature conservation at Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.  

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