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Viewing swaag.org website implies consent to set cookies on your computer. Full details Swaledale and Arkengarthdale Archaeology Group
Registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation Number 1155775
SWAAG Honorary President:
Tim Laurie FSA

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 *****SWAAG_ID***** 835
 Date Entered 14/09/2014
 Updated on 15/09/2014
 Recorded by Tim Laurie
 Category Geographical Record
 Record Type Geomorphology
 SWAAG Site Name 
 Site Type 
 Site Name 
 Site Description 
 Site Access Public Access Land
 Record Date 03/09/2014
 Location Birkdale Common. The Source of the Swale
 Civil Parish Muker
 Brit. National Grid Hidden
 Altitude 690m
 Geology Spring rise below Pickerset Edge Grit over marine shale band.
 Record Name The search for the highest anf furthest Spring Source of the River Swale.
 Record Description This is a short photographic record of a personal search for the ultimate source of the River Swale, that is the highest spring furthest from the junction of the Swale with the Ure and also from the Humber. The search was unsuccessful at first and required three visits before the highest spring was located.
 Dimensions 
 Geographical area Upper Swaledale
 Species Botanical record list available.
 Scientific Name 
 Common / Notable Species 
 Tree and / or Stem Girth 
 Tree: Position / Form / Status 
 Tree Site ID 0
 Associated Site SWAAG ID 0
 Additional Notes Please Note! The Grid Reference and name of the location of this spring has been hidden since high springs which form the sources of the Swale are home to a rich but delicate community of montane plants, the spring flushes are sensitive places and should not be unnecessarily trampled by many booted feet. If these spring sites are visited they can be admired from the dry and firm moorland ground at the edges and top of the spring flush.
 Image 1 ID 5819         Click image to enlarge
 Image 1 Description Third time lucky. This really could be the way we need to go.
 Image 2 ID 5820         Click image to enlarge
 Image 2 Description This Gill could be worth a try, but in fact was the way back.
 Image 3 ID 5822         Click image to enlarge
 Image 3 Description The small pool just visible in the foreground is the Source of the Swale. L.R. Recording the vegetation.
 Image 4 ID 5832         Click image to enlarge
 Image 4 Description The search started from Black Scar House on Uldale Beck
 Image 5 ID 5831         Click image to enlarge
 Image 5 Description Black Scar House and Uldale Beck Meetings.
 Image 6 ID 5833         Click image to enlarge
 Image 6 Description Uldale Beck. The Lower Falls with Rowan.
 Image 7 ID 5834         Click image to enlarge
 Image 7 Description Recording a rare example of the natural regeneration of juniper. Uldale Gill Head.
 Image 8 ID 5835         Click image to enlarge
 Image 8 Description This seedling juniper has germinated from seed derived from a long dead juniper whose remains are nearby.
 Image 9 ID 5836         Click image to enlarge
 Image 9 Description Uldale Beck. the Uper Falls.
 Image 10 ID 5837         Click image to enlarge
 Image 10 Description Onward and upward.
 Image 11 ID 5838
 Image 11 Description Uldale Gill Head, almost at the top.
 Image 12 ID 5839
 Image 12 Description Remnant mounds of blanket peat 2-3m deep which once covered the whole of the plateau.
 Image 13 ID 5840
 Image 13 Description Mallerstang Edge.Water is scarce on the wide plateau
 Image 14 ID 5823
 Image 14 Description Scattered tarns and pools with remains of willow carr, stunted birch and juniper preserved at the base of 2-3m deep peat
 Image 15 ID 5824
 Image 15 Description Pools and tarns but no streams.
 Image 16 ID 5828
 Image 16 Description Where do we go from here?
 Image 17 ID 5827
 Image 17 Description That is the way back.
 Image 18 ID 5826
 Image 18 Description And this where we came up.
 Image 19 ID 5825
 Image 19 Description We will follow this beck as far as we can. The source will be up there.
 Image 20 ID 5847
 Image 20 Description Remnant mounds of peat show that the whole plateau was until recently covered with blanket peat 2-3m deep.
 Image 21 ID 5848
 Image 21 Description Ancient willow carr preserved below eroded blanket peat. As seen 30.11.2011
 Image 22 ID 5841
 Image 22 Description Lunch at Lodge Hags. I think I can see spring flushes over there.
 Image 23 ID 5843
 Image 23 Description View southward through Mallerstang towards
 Image 24 ID 5842
 Image 24 Description Massed remains of stunted birch below eroded blanket peat at 660m elevation.
 Image 25 ID 5844
 Image 25 Description Black shales and thin sandstones are the uppermost beds of the Namurian strata in Swaledale.
 Image 26 ID 5845
 Image 26 Description The Source of the Swale
 Image 27 ID 5846
 Image 27 Description The way back with Shunner in the distance.
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