Recent News

Fire on Thorne Moors

After a dry summer a serious fire broke out on Sunday August 30th, fanned by strong winds [more]

2010 - the year of the Horsefly

They caused two contractors to leave the Moors, vowing never to return, and sent RSPB staff hurrying back to their air-conditioned vehicle... There are three species that are most likely to be encountered.

	The problem species over most of the peat area is Chrysops relictus , and this is the delta-winged horsefly with colourful eyes and patterned wings, which flies and buzzes around aggressively
A close relative is Chrysops caecutiens which is chiefly found in Will Pits and Inkle Moor
	The infamous Cleg is Haematopota pluvialis, which is a dull grey-brown beast, and silent and altogether more stealthy.

Fortunately the possibility of being bitten will rapidly recede with the onset of September, but in the meantime take plenty of insect repellant with you.

2010 Nightjar surveys

We are pleased to say that the 2010 Nightjar surveys for Thorne Moors and Hatfield Moors have generously been made available to download. 2009 numbers have been maintained overall.

2009/10 Officers reports

The Chairman's report this year both reflects upon selected events from the Forum's past over the last 21 years and looks forward to some of the challenges for the future. The Secretary's report concentrates upon the considerable list of accomplishments over the past year. As the secretary says "for such a small but dedicated band we should be proud of our history and the achievements".

2009 Thorne Moors Vertebrate reports

Instead of a single report as in previous years, the 2009 report will be published in three separate sections, covering birds, mammals and reptiles & amphibians. The Birds and Mammals reports are already published, the mammals report also being available as an unillustrated version suitable for printing.
Mention should also be made of the Thorne Moors Birding Blog, which, together with the Hatfield Moors Birding Blog, gives a comprehensive and up to date summary of significant bird sightings on and around the moors.

2010 Wildlife Training Workshops

The 2010 programme has now been finalised. This year 10 workshops are planned over a wide range of subjects. Some are suitable for beginners, others for those seeking to build upon current skills. Early booking is advised as some of the Workshops will be very popular and places are strictly limited.

Peter Skidmore

The Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum are organising a symposium

INSECTS AND THE CHANGING SCENE:

at Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery on
2nd October 2010
It will commemorate the life and work of PETER SKIDMORE PhD, FRES, FLS
This will be a full day event.

The Forum has now published a comprehensive Index to Peter's An Inventory of the Invertebrates of Thorne & Hatfield Moors. This has been compiled by Peter Kendal.

The splendid set of Art Prints taken from the above Inventory has been re-launched in an enhanced package.

Wet Week at Doncaster Museum

Doncaster Museum & Art Gallery arranged a series of events from Saturday 13th - Sunday 21 February about Doncaster's internationally important wetlands.

Note - the visual display from the talk by Paul Buckland - The birth, life and death of the Humber wetlands is available to download (9MB).

Notable bird sightings

A Great Grey Shrike took up residence on Thorne Moors, near to the viewing platform, on October 1st 2009, and was seen regularly for the next few months. After a month without any sightings it has been seen again in January 2010. Great Grey Shrikes used to be regular autumn/winter visitors to Thorne Moors, but the last bird staying for longer than 2 days was recorded in 1995/6, although there were recordings of a bird recorded on a single autumn day from 1999 to 2001.

Visitors to Thorne Moors during the January cold spell have been rewarded with excellent views of two male Hen Harriers.

A Barred Warbler was reported in dense hedge on the bank of the River Torne neat Wroot on the 17th and 18th October - only the second ever recording in the Doncaster area.. This was reported on the Hatfield Moors Birding Blog which is updated daily by the local birdwathchers - definitely worth viewing regularly.

The Birds of Thorne Moors - A Guide to Literature Sources

In recent years, a desktop review has been undertaken of all vertebrate classes on Thorne Moors. Already, two Technical Reports describing the cold-blooded vertebrates and mammals have been produced. Each includes a comprehensive bibliography. Now, a review of the birds is underway, with the present Technical Report being the first of two ornithological reports envisaged. This report provides a bibliography of the Thorne Moors avifauna, citing items dating from 1586 to 2009. A future Technical Report is planned to present an annotated checklist of the birds.

Published August 2009. Pp. [1]-28; Photographic cover, plus 2 figures. Produced, like TR17, to higher standards than other volumes, being printed on 130 gsm silk paper, with covers on 300 gsm board, Saddle-stitched.

Reprinted

Full details and ordering information

Dr Peter Skidmore 1936 – 2009.

The Forum’s Executive Committee are sad to announce the death of a ‘giant of entomology’ Dr Peter Skidmore, an Honorary Life Member, at the age of 73.

Peter passed away peacefully at home on Sunday 19 July 2009 after a long illness bravely borne.

Peter, a delightful gentle man, patient and a strong advocate for Thorne & Hatfield Moors. A cause for which his campaigning to protect these internationally important sites was always underpinned by sound science and this commitment will feature in an appreciation of his involvement with both the sites and entomology shortly.

The Executive’s thoughts and prayers are with Peter’s family to whom sincere condolences are extended.

During his lifetime Peter Skidmore accumulated a considerable collection of books reflecting his specialist interests. His widow, Heather, has asked his good friend Paul Buckland to dispose of the collection for her. Peter's wish would have been that the books would pass on to people with similar interests to himself.

2009 Programme of Wildlife Training Workshops

Events so far confirmed are as below, full details and further events to follow as soon as possible

29 August	Waterplant identification	Louise Hill
24/25 October	Mammals of the Moors - What to look for and where to find them	Ann Hanson and Robert Masheder
7 November	Holocene environment change in the Humberhead Levels	Paul Buckland

All workshops are to be held at Blaxton Village Hall (signposted from the A614 Bawtry Road at approximately SE671003) commencing at 10am and finishing at approximately 4pm (except the Mammals workshop).
Each workshop will comprise a classroom style session with an introductory presentation, examination of standard and sample material and a field session on Hatfield Moors, usually in the afternoon. Note however that the 7 November field trip will include a minibus tour of the sites discussed in the presentation.
Refreshments are available in the morning and at lunch time, however participants are asked to bring their own packed lunch and advised to wear stout footwear and suitable clothing for the fieldwork session.
The cost of each of the workshops is £15 and payment with booking is required to secure a place. Early booking is advised as each workshop has limited places. Please ensure that cheques are made payable to Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum.
For further information please contact:
WT Workshop Administrator ( )

Download further details and Application Form

Flora by Foot - a Botanical Survey of Hatfield Moor, Yorkshire (2005-2006)

In 2004 large-scale peat milling ceased on Hatfield Moor and Natural England (then English Nature) began the task of regenerating one of the largest lowland raised mires in Great Britain. In the following 2 years local naturalist Ian McDonald carried out a systematic personal survey of the flora of Hatfield Moor.

This book details the 282 plants Ian recorded and gives a unique insight into what remains following decades of destruction. It also provides a yardstick against which to measure future changes to the moors.

Ian sets the scene by relating the circumstances and events which sparked his interest in botany and the local environment.

I bought The Concise British Flora in Colour by Keeble Martin. Over the next few years this fell apart with use and I replaced it with The Wild Flowers of Britain and Northern Europe by Fitter, Fitter and Blamey, a useful field guide which I still carry. I guess that this shows that you do not have to pass through the higher education system to be able to contribute to scientific knowledge.

The work was published in March 2009 and consists of 36 A4 pages, saddle-stitched, and printed on silk paper. The print run is limited to 50 copies, at a price of only �5

Full details and ordering information

What a fantastic piece of work, full of detailed information and superb photography.
Very many congratulations!
And superbly produced by Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum.
A splendid addition to my bookshelves.

Unsolicited comment from Geoffrey Wilmore,
who is the plant recorder of the Botanical Society of the British Isles
for vice county 63

Mechanised Peat Winning and Transportation on Thorne Moors

Click to see review from

This unique work is a remarkable and complete record of mechanised peat extraction from Thorne Moors. It is the result of many years careful recording and research by Martin Limbert and Peter Roworth, supplemented and enhanced by excellent photography, much of it Peter's own work. Peter was Manager of English Nature's reserve on Thorne Moors from 1989 to 2000.

The whole account forms the most detailed published record of mechanised industrial peat winning in Britain. It is augmented by the only available description of mechanisation at the interface of industry and nature conservation. The narrative is based on the co-authors� fieldwork and work experience, interviews, correspondence and literature searching. Supporting textual apparatus provides notification of all known published photographs and moving images, and extensive lists of references and notes.

Forty plates are a major feature of the publication. These are based on a photographic study of Thorne Moors during 1989-2000 by Peter Roworth ARPS, augmented by images mainly embracing an earlier span of years. All are focused on different aspects of mechanised peat winning, providing a comprehensive collection.

The work was published in March 2009 and consists of 110 A4 pages, wire-bound, and printed on quality paper to high standards, and the print run is limited to 150 copies, at a price of only �9.95

Full details and ordering information Less than 30 copies left

Download publicity leaflet

RSPB - Muck in to make peat history

With a staggering 94% of lowland peat bog habitats in the UK now destroyed by peat extraction, the RSPB is urging gardeners to go peat-free this Easter. This weekend is one of the most popular for the nation to hit garden centres, and there is no better time to find peat alternatives. Around a fifth of the annual peat purchase for gardens is over the four-day break as traditionally people spend more time in their gardens with brighter weather and longer evenings. Read full article

Thorne Moors Vertebrates Report 2008

In previous years the Thorne Moors Vertebrates Reports were published privately. Following consultations with the compiler, Martin Limbert, it was decided to publish these reports on-line on this website as a free download in the future. The Thorne Moors Vertebrates Report 2008 is now available comprising an annual systematic list covering fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. The 2006 and 2007 Reports are also available to download.

Thorne Moors Map

The OS maps covering the area of the moors unfortunately lack many of the place and area names which are in common usage and are used in recording. Two maps are therefore being prepared to address the situation. The first of these, the Thorne Moors Map has been compiled and is now available. The Hatfield Moors Map is still at the consultation stage and it is intended to publish it with Volume 8 of the Papers, which will be dedicated to Hatfield Moors.

THMCF Papers Volume 7

The latest volume of the Thorne and Hatfield Moors Papers has now been published. It has been a long wait, but we think that the final product fully justifies the time taken. There is the usual wide range of subjects covered and, as you have accessed this website, there is sure to be something of interest to you!

Full details here

New editions of Technical Reports

Fully revised and updated editions of TR13 - The Fish and Herptiles of Thorne Moors and TR15 - The Mammals of Thorne Moors are now available at £3 each. Together these two volumes provide an excellent baseline for future recording.

New THMCF website

The THMCF website has been extensively revised, and the "new look" website became live in July 2007. For a short time the old website will still be available, but will not be updated. Note, the old website was removed on May 1st 2009. If you have problems accessing the new website, or have suggestions for further improvements please contact the

2008 Programme of Wildlife Training Workshops

22 June	Ground Beetles	Brian Eversham
27 July	Ants	Brian Eversham
28 September	Ferns & Horsetails	Brian Eversham
1 November (Rescheduled from 25 October)	'Glacials and the Postglacial in the Humberhead Levels'	Paul Buckland
8 March 2009 (Rescheduled from 14 December 2008)	Lichens	Brian Eversham

All workshops are to be held at Blaxton Village Hall (signposted from the A614 Bawtry Road at approximately SE671003) commencing at 10am and finishing at approximately 4pm.
Each workshop will comprise a classroom style session with an introductory presentation, examination of standard and sample material and a field session on Hatfield Moors, usually in the afternoon. Note however that the 1 November field trip will include a minibus tour of the sites discussed in the presentation.
Refreshments are available in the morning and at lunch time, however participants are asked to bring their own packed lunch and advised to wear stout footwear and suitable clothing for the fieldwork session.
The cost of each of the workshops is £15 and payment with booking is required to secure a place. Early booking is advised as each workshop has limited places. Please ensure that cheques are made payable to Thorne & Hatfield Moors Conservation Forum.
For further information please contact:
WT Workshop Administrator (Helen Kirk) on 07833 693635

Download further details and Application Form

Invertebrates Illustrations

The quality of the illustrations in the Forum's latest monograph "An Inventory of the Invertebrates of Thorne & Hatfield Moors" by Peter Skidmore is so good that we have commissioned a limited edition of 100 sets , printed on high quality paper and suitable for framing. Each set, consisting of 10 A4 plates, is individually numbered and signed by Peter Skidmore, and are available in a presentation folder at a cost of �25 per set.
Please contact the for further details or to order a set.

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