Figham Common is one of the three ancient commons of Beverley, East Yorkshire. Figham Common is a mixture of permanently wet, rushy pasture, semi-improved grassland and hawthorn scrub which are criss-crossed by drainage ditches, with the River Hull forming the eastern boundary of the site. I have been visiting Figham Common from winter 2005 and have found it surprising how many species can be found within walking distance of Bevereley town centre..

From Beverley Minster head east along Flemingate which becomes Beckside. One will see a canal with housing developments alongside - follow the main road round a bend and take the turning on the left immediately before a Somerfield petrol station; this is Waterside Road, it is a dead end and leads to Figham Common.

There is a small parking area at the end of Waterside Road, next to the River Hull: the stile leading onto Figham Common is directly ahead.

Beverley is about 10 miles north of Kingston-upon-Hull: it is served by train and is on the main bus route from York to Hull.

Figham Common is best visited in winter when Barn Owl, winter thrushes, stonechat and winter finch flocks are present, and in late spring for common migrants such as Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Lesser Whitethroat.

1. A good view across the rushy pasture is available from the car park next to the river. Looking across the common, Barn Owls can often be seen hunting in the early morning and late afternoon and reeds alongside the River Hull are a good place search for an early Sedge Warbler or Reed Warbler.

Figham Common is not blessed with a great variety of other wildlife, although common wetland flora is plentiful with Hard Rush, Greater Reedmace and Cuckoo Flower all abundant. For those willing to look the grassland should hold a number of interesting species as it has not been ploughed for as long as 200 years.

Presumably there is a good population of voles here, given how often Barn Owls hunt over the common and rabbits are plentiful on the south western part of the site.

Common Frog and Common Toad are easily found when they emerge in early spring to spawn and Marsh Frogs call from the Beverley-Barmston drain into summer.

A good range of butterflies and other insects are present in summer.

Accommodation