Bug and wildflower locations in the north-east?

[MarkE70]

Does anyone know of any good locations for macro-work (mainly wildflowers and bugs) around the north east. I know about upper teesdale, which is excellent, but would appreciate any advice on others.
Thanks, Mark.

[Steve S]

You could check out Yellands Meadow in Swaledale. This is a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust site, quite small but has a nice spread of wild flowers as it has never been intensively farmed.

There is also Bishop Middleham Quarry, a Durham Wildlife Trust site. In the past I’ve found this to be good for orchids and other wild flowers (I’ve not visited it for a few years though). It’s also been good first thing in the morning for butterflies – keep your eyes open for the local speciality of Durham Brown Argus.

Location maps and details etc. are available from the Wildlife Trust websites:-

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust
Durham Wildlife Trust - Home Page

Steve.

[mrs fish]

You can find plenty of wild plants and insects on them just along hedgerows and footpaths