Former Skipwith Common RAF base is given reserve status (From York Press)

Former Skipwith Common RAF base is given reserve status

8:39am Friday 18th December 2009

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A FORMER Second World War bomber base which is home to woodlarks, newts and water voles has become Britain’s newest National Nature Reserve.

A spokesman for Natural England said Skipwith Common was of international importance for its wet and dry heathland.

It is also home to a wide variety of rare heathland plants and a rich collection of dragonflies and other invertebrates.

In addition, there are more than 70 species of breeding birds including nightjars and woodlarks, as well as large populations of great crested newts and water voles. Poul Christensen, chairman of Natural England said: “An immense amount of work has gone towards ensuring that this much-loved landscape remains both a haven for wildlife, and a place that everyone can visit and enjoy.

“Skipwith Common is one of the best examples of lowland heath in the north of England and today’s declaration is a fitting way to mark the 60th anniversary of the Act that first brought National Nature Reserves into being.”

The common has a long history and is dotted with Bronze and Iron Age features.

During the Second World War, parts of the site were used as an airfield to train Halifax bomber crews, and extensive remains of the former Riccall Airfield are still clearly visible.

The Escrick Park Estate, which owns the land, last year joined forces with Natural England to help manage the common in a wildlife-friendly way. Following this old breeds of livestock like Hebridean sheep, longhorn cattle and Exmoor ponies have been introduced to help stop scrub taking over the heath.

Charlie Forbes Adams, of Escrick Park Estate said “Skipwith Common, has been very special to me since I was a small boy and I am delighted that it is receiving the status it deserves. The common is an oasis of biodiversity in the arable lands of Selby district.”

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