Monad of the Month - TA0880 - River Hertford, west of Filey

Welcome to Monad of the Month! This series will feature a monad (1km) grid square within the North and East Yorkshire area where we’re lacking records in our database. We’ve chosen grid squares that lack records but also contain interesting or valuable habitats or (locally or nationally/internationally) designated sites, and that are close to large towns, cities, or transport links where possible, to make them accessible, should you wish to visit and do some recording!

Our Monad of the Month for December 2025 is TA0880, located across part of the River Hertford, west of Filey.

TA0880 is located to the west of Filey, comprising part of the River Hertford, which is designated as a local SINC (Sites of Nature Conservation Importance). It is designated for its fen/reedbed and the presence of Water Vole, which has been recorded in the past within this monad. Most of the site is arable farmland with the river passing through.

Currently this monad only has one record associated with it, of Water Vole. Water Vole is an important species in North Yorkshire, and is currently experiencing a mixed story in our region with some thriving populations, such as in East Yorkshire, and some declining populations, such as around York. More widely, it is one of the UK’s fastest declining species and has lost 90% of its population since the 1970s.

This would be an excellent species to have more records of, and recording in this monad could determine if the species is still present in the area, alongside the opportunity to record other farmland and riverine species.

The area is probably most easily accessed from a footpath from the village of Muston. Please ensure any land you record on is openly accessible or has access granted to you.