Bradford Urban Wildlife Group
Bradford Urban Wildlife Group
recording, observing and protecting Bradford wildlife & habitats
Baildon Moor
Why Visit?
In May at the top of the moorland, green hairstreak butterflies are on the wing and mating. They take advantage of the warmer microclimate in old bell pits at the top of the Moor.
Butterfly - hard to spot
Green Hairstreak Butterfly
Take care entering bell pits, the bottom of the pit may just be a thin layer of soil camouflaging a much bigger hole beneath!
At the top of the moor near the golf course you can see the remarkable effect of bracken clearing on the landscape. A whole slope has been cleared, and kept clear by volunteers working with BEES. The regeneration has gone as far as the growth of orchids at the bottom of the site.
What else is there?
Varied wildlife
weasel red grouse
common heath moth
ponds
bilberries
bell pits
ancient stone carvings
bilberry in flower
I would go again ( and again) to see.....
The May-time Green Hairstreak butterflies
mating Green Hairstreak Butterflies
Getting there:
By bus:
Services 626,658, 656 and 659 run between Bradford and Baildon.
From Holden Lane/ Towngate it is a stiff walk to the top of the moor.
By Rail:
Nearest rail station is in Baildon - but quite a trudge up to the moor.
By Car: See the "useful map" for parking
One place to park is the "Top Car Park" on the Bingley Road, almost immediately opposite the track to Dobrudden caravan park.
view across "Top Car Park"
