Hackfall Wood
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Location: Hackfall Wood is situated
approximately one mile north of Grewelthorpe on the road to Masham
where there is limited car parking in a layby opposite the
entrance. The best way to reach Hackfall is on foot from
Masham along the riverside path though Nutwith Cote (approximately
4 kms). Masham is accessible by bus. See the'Getting
Here' section of the website for more details.
Hackfall Wood covers the steep north and east facing slopes
above the Ure Gorge. It is a woodland of
national importance and has been designated as a Site of Special
Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is one of the best examples of
ancient semi natural woodland in the area with a diverse
underlying geology that has resulted in tufa-lined springs whose
margins are colonised by wetland plants typical of calcareous
substrates. These coexist alongside more acidic sandstones
overlain by plants like woodrush. A rich bryophyte community is
established in parts of the wood.
It also supports a wide range of bird species. All
three woodpeckers are present (green woodpeckers, great-spotted
woodpecker, lesser-spotted woodpecker) and other woodland birds
including woodcock, spotted and pied flycatcher, nuthatch and
treecreeper.
The River Ure runs through the bottom of the woodland and
in waterlogged river margins and
tributary streams, kingfisher, dipper
and grey wagtail and common sandpiper are
present. The varied habitat also provides cover
for birds such as wood warbler, pied flycatcher and
redstart.
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