Nosterfield Nature Reserve is 150 acres of wet grassland and open water situated between the rivers' Ure and Swale.   It is the underlying magnesian limestone and its associated aquifer which makes the location special and one of the best wetland grasslands in North Yorkshire. There is a dramatic rise and fall in the water levels, associated with the natural water table and rainfall, resulting in typically 2.5 m per year.  Sand and gravel were produced from a former quarry here until the late 1980s. It was designated a reserve in 2001 and is the only Local Nature Reserve (LNR) in the Hambleton District.  

County wide 2023 results reflect  the 2022 Heat and drought  with Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock nearly halved for the second year against their 5 year average. Red Admiral arrived in force in July and took advantage of soft nettle growth of the rains and had their best year ever. Drought sensitive species on thin soils were badly hit,  particularly Dark -green Fritillary and Northern Brown Argus but also Ringlet, Green-viened White and Small Heath.  Less drought affected species along with the hottest June on record built even more on gains last year leading to Comma, Brimstone, Holly Blue and most Browns  having a fantastic year reaching all time highs. A increase of 9% overall was mostly due to sheer numbers of Meadow Browns and Gatekeepers ment 2023 nearly pipped 2014 as best year in modern times.  Most noticeable was the large differeces between moisiture retaining mineral soils of the valleys and thin, dry limestone or sandy soils. A large number of damp grassland, hedgerow and woodland  dominated sites benefitted hugely with 3 sites seeing more than 50% increase . A smaller number of thin, chalky, sandy or craggy sites did badly some down up to 25%.