DTE North: About our ranges
DTE North consists of several training areas. Geologically, the underlying limestones and shales are very old and there are glacial deposits from the Ice Age. Numerous interesting fossils (many marine) have been found. The many archaeological remains include sites of prehistoric settlements and examples of rock art.
The area has some rare species of plants and animals. More common animals include badgers, mink, roe deer, foxes and protected bat colonies. There are several rare species of birds, including black grouse and the English grey partridge. Raptors include merlin, peregrine and several types of owl. The many butterflies, moths and other insects include some uncommon species.
Catterick training area
This includes a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Feldom training area
Feldom is a 2,543 hectare moorland plateau with a number of woods.
Battery Hill ranges
This 213 hectare site is on the eastern side of the Pennines where trees are scarce. There is also an area of undulating moorland with some rocky outcrops.
Ripon Parks training area
This is 275 hectares of mixed arable land, including ponds, lakes and some woodlands.
Strensall ranges and training area
This 650 hectare site includes flat lowland heath, woodlands, drainage ditches and ponds.
Warcop training area
This is situated in Cumbria, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and covers some 9,715 hectares. The area has many rare species of flora and fauna. There are numerous archaeological remains and some of the UK's finest untouched limestone pavements. There are also several Sites of Special Scientific Interest.
Warcop participates in the Black Grouse Recovery Project. This also benefits other threatened species, such as the grey partridge, skylark, song thrush, linnet, reed bunting and spotted flycatcher. Other projects include providing bat roosts; protecting red squirrels; improving the wetlands (home of the great crested newt); and re-establishing old hedgerows and dry stone walls.
Halton camp
This small, 19 hectare site includes eight hectares of ancient semi-natural woodland.
Holcombe camp
The area consists of 303 hectares of freehold land on open moorland, along with grass farmland with young plantations, as well as several woodlands of varying ages. There are three sites of biological interest in the training area, which is an integral part of the West Pennine Moors. At least one farmstead and a field system date from the 17th century.
The estate consists of approximately 24,300 hectares. It has some 1,687 hectares of woodland, including 23 ancient, semi-natural woods, three of which are Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).
Otterburn training area
The training area is almost entirely within the Northumberland National Park. The earliest sign of human occupation is the Bellshiel Long Cairn, over 4,000 years old. There are various prehistoric earthworks as well as signs of the Roman occupation. The remains of medieval villages abandoned during the Border wars can also be seen.
The area is predominantly upland moorland, interspersed with woodlands and farmland. It supports a wide range of habitat types and wildlife, many of which are of international importance.
There are 19 SSSIs across the training area, including extensive tracts of upland heather moorland, ancient woodlands, mires and species-rich hay meadows. Four of these have also been designated as Special Areas of Conservation.
In addition to these habitats, there are numerous important animal and plant species. Some 70% of Northumberland’s black grouse live in the area, as well as a large proportion of England’s population of Large Heath butterflies. Other notable species include otters, red squirrels, peregrine falcons, skylarks, bog orchids and Jacobs Ladder.