The hibernacular will be created adjacent to two ponds, to be located between the ponds and the quarry access road to their south. On the opposite side of the access road is Neil's Moss. Work has already commenced on restoring this area, confirmed by the recent planting of trees around the north side of the pond, and the levelling of the area to its south, where the Hibernacula will be stationed.

The second of the ponds is the westmost of the two and is sizeably larger than the first, with areas of natural reeding. The hibernacular and bund will be located on the land pinched between the two ponds and the access road.

The bund and hibernacular will occupy the land (reverse isoceles triangle shape) sitting to the south of both ponds (above ponds in the image, and below the road).

Nell's Moss, an area of moss and stone opposite to the Hardendale pools, is located on the far side of the quarry road. The Coast to Coast path avoids it, flanking the moss's northern border, on its way towards Oddendale. In the area around Hardendale Nab and Oddendale there are many stone circles, not easily visible against the background of large areas of limestone pavement. Two well known stone circles are Wicker Street and Seal Howe.

There are 4 different types of Hibernaculum. They are often created close to earth bunds. Log hibernaculum consist of loosely piled logs and earth (and sometimes clean rubble) to provide an abundance of cavities and easily burrowed ground, in which creatures can shelter and keep warm during the winter. If the ground is permeable a hibernacular can be created in a small pit, which would afford better protection from winter frost; if impermeable it should be above ground to prevent it being flooded.

There are two types of log hibernaculum; one with logs laying on top of each other, and the other where the logs are upright. They both serve different types of creatures. The logs laying on top of each other usually have layers, or platforms, alternating at right angles. An infill of grass clippings or similar is introduced to provide nesting material and warmth. This design provides plenty of space for small creatures, in addition to winter warmth. The design in this image is taken from the RSPB's "Giving Nature a Home" urban advice pack.

Bunds are generally created close to hibernaculum. An earth bund is a raised area (usually about a metre high) of bare or sparsely vegetated ground (maintained by cutting), that provides a secure, dry area where cold blooded creatures can bask in the sun to warm up and energise their bodies. Bunds are usually orientated so as to be south facing. The bund would be used mostly by reptiles such as newts, snakes and lizards, but would also be used by butterflies and mining bees.

Coast to Coast Trail Guide

"Hiking the Coast to Coast" is a digitally enhanced eBook available from Apple Books for all people who have either a Mac, an iPhone or an iPad, and is designed to accompany you on your walk of the Coast to Coast path. The trail guide contains Ordnance Survey maps and other advanced mapping features, step by step directions, hundreds of colour photographs, details of the route, its conditions in different weather and research snippets relating to places of interest along the way.