2010 Annual Report Part 3

17 July - Saturday - COMMONDALE - Carole Sobkowiak

Eight members met on a cool clear day at the Castleton end of

Commondale and walked along the dale parallel to the railway track

towards Commondale village.

Eighty-nine botanical recordings were made and the ditches were

particularly interesting. The Round-leaved Sundew, Drosera rotundifolia,

an insectivorous plant was found in flower. Perhaps the most exciting

discovery was Bog Pimpernel, Anagallis tenella that is a delicate matforming

perennial with pink bell-shaped flowers. We also saw Water

Boatmen and Tadpoles in the ditch water. Lunch was eaten in a wood full

of mainly oak and birch trees.

Eighteen birds were seen or heard including Spotted flycatcher,

Goldfinch, Kestrel and Moorhen with chicks. When we approached the

village we looked for the falconry that we had visited on the same outing

in 2005 but it was no longer there.

The day ended with tea at Kildale and before leaving we visited the St.

Cuthbert's Church to admire the beautiful stained glass windows depicting

the flora, fauna, life and times of Kildale.

20 July - Tuesday - SOCKBURN HALL (NZ 349071)

John Turner

On an overcast afternoon 15 members and guests drove along the

private track to Sockburn Hall in a loop of the Tees near Neasham where

we were greeted by Sarah Geary and her sister Mary. Sarah explained that

the Hall and its grounds were owned by her family and that the Hall and

the grounds had fallen into disrepair in recent years. The Hall itself is not

habitable although it has an imposing aspect on a fine site overlooking the

River Tees. Sarah is working to bring the grounds back to their former

glory with the help of a group of volunteers called "Friends of Sockburn

Hall".

Near the hall is an early church that is partly in ruins but contains many

artefacts found on the location dating back to Viking and Anglo-Saxon

grave markings, including the grave cover of the knight, Sir John Conyers,

who is said to have killed the Sockburn Worm. The "Worm" is shown as a

small dragon at the knight's feet.

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A field behind the church has the remains of earlier settlements dating

back to medieval times that have been excavated then reburied to

preserve them - See next paragraph

.The following is a statement from John Wheeler disputing the above statement -

 There has been a very detailed site survey and
geophysical survey of the old manor house site but there has never been
any actual excavation, certainly not in modern times.  There is a plan
for Durham University to do a small dig there this year, which should be
very interesting.  The survey was written up by Dave Went and Marcus
Jeacock of English heritage in York and I believe it can be found on the
English heritage website.
 

The visit was cut short by a torrential rainstorm while we were enjoying

tea and biscuits in a gazebo in front of the Hall.

I would like to thank Sarah and her sister for their hospitality.

25 July - Sunday - REETH CIRCULAR - Christine Lunn

Eight members undertook this six-mile outing originally planned by Don

Griss. The weather was warm with a mixture of sunshine and clouds and

the odd sharp shower. We left Reeth by the Arkengarthdale Road and just

after the cattle grid where the roadside verge widens out we came upon a

small stream with a profusion of Monkey Flower. Shortly after this we

crossed a stile to pursue our way across a series of walled fields, five of

which were hay meadows, three still uncut. It was interesting to observe

the hay meadows this late on, just ready for harvest, with the Yellow

Rattle not very yellow any longer but full of rattle.

After this botanical feast we continued through the fields to join the

track to Castle Farm House that we followed across the little bridge over

the Arkle Beck at which point we stopped for lunch. An immature Redstart

was the highlight of our observations. Hunger satisfied we made our way

up hill, turning left to follow the path along the east side of the beck.

Where the path dropped down again closer to the waterside it became

very wet, muddy and boggy underfoot. Earlier in the week there had been

a prolonged period of very heavy rain - the beck had burst its banks and

the footpath we were on had been submerged under several feet of water.

This was a very different habitat to the start of the walk and among the

interesting species noted were Great Horsetail, Greater Tussock Sedge

and Remote Sedge, and, non-botanically, a rather large Common Frog.

We re-crossed the beck by another delightful little bridge and made our

way up the broad stony track to and through East Raw Croft Farm and

thence to the valley road which we crossed to take the path up the flanks

of Calver Hill. This presented us with a third very different habitat, this

time moorland. Not a lot of bird life as by now most birds had finished

breeding but we did spot Golden Plover, Wheatear, Oyster Catcher and

Lapwing. Circling below the hill summit we followed the path across the

moor to reach the shooting track that runs alongside the intake walls

above Healaugh and Reeth. Across the valley Maiden Castle was clearly

visible on Harkerside. This was followed to Skelgate Lane, a very ancient

narrow walled path dropping down in to Reeth and absolutely full of

flowering summer species. A beautiful end to a slightly longer outing than

usual. Rabbits were the only mammals noted. Insects included Meadow

Brown butterfly, Soldier beetles, 7-spot Ladybird and a Lesser Yellow

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Underwing moth. The twenty-one bird species recorded included Dipper,

Spotted Flycatcher and Meadow Pipit. 149 botanical species were

recorded, the most important being Great Horsetail, Greater Tussock

Sedge, Remote Sedge, Golden Male fern, and Eared Willow.

My thanks to Don Griss for planning the route, John Turner for

recording the birds and Falgunee Sarker for being our botanical recorder.

27 July - Tuesday - Red Kite Walk (GR NZ175596) - R Colley

Eight members and one guest attended. The walk started from the car

park next to the Derwent Caravan Park in Rowland's Gill. It followed the

Red Kite Trail to the viewpoint just beyond the Nine Arches viaduct and

back. Most of the walk was on the bed of the old Derwent Valley railway

(1867-1962). South of the railway was the Gibside Estate with the 40

metre tall Column of Liberty visible for most of the walk.

Regular stops were made to look for Red Kites over the Gibside

Estate. Several were seen in the distance, their identity being confirmed

using binoculars.

Trees have grown up on the old embankments so much of the walk

was in shade or partial shade. There were three distinct habitats along the

walk. The first part was a dry shaded section that was followed by a damp

shaded section with standing water beside the path. The final part from

the viaduct to the viewpoint was mostly open.

Falgunee Sarker recorded the flora for mid-summer. 122 species of

trees, grasses and plants were recorded with Great Horsetail, Tall

Fescue, Wood Melick, Leaf Hawkweed and Irish Fleabane being the more

unusual ones. Also recorded were 14 birds, 2 butterflies and 3 bees.

Just before we left a Kite was spotted close to the car park and slowly

circled overhead for several minutes before disappearing over houses.

Everyone was able to get o good look at the distinctive markings and the

forked tail. A perfect ending to an enjoyable walk.

31 July - Saturday - MINSTERACRES - Gordon Simpson

Eight members attended. We met at some buildings close to the

Priory. From the buildings we walked to the Priory and looked at the

Treecreeper roosts in the soft bark of the Giant Trees Sequoiadendron

giganteum. The Treecreepers enlarge hollows in the bark and fit their

bodies snugly into the hollow to roost. Only their backs and tail are

exposed to the cold weather. Great Spotted Woodpeckers had bored

cylindrical holes into the bark to a depth of about 10cm but had stopped at

the trunk. Maybe these are roosting holes. From the Giant Tree Avenue

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we walked to the Priory and were met and welcomed by Father Jeroen.

Permission was granted for the group to make a convenience stop then

visit the chapel, an impressive place of worship.

The walk commenced to the large ponds so that we could look at

Royal Fem. On the way butterflies frequented Creeping Thistle. Walking

quietly towards the large pond we saw waterbirds. From the ponds we

returned to our cars to collect our packed lunches. Somebody found picnic

tables at the back of the Priory and a few cats and hens found us whilst

we ate sandwiches.

After our lunch stop we walked across the lawns that displayed hay

meadow flowers. A Humming Bird Hawk Moth was seen at the flower

garden in the centre of the lawns. From the lawns we then explored the

arboretum. Volunteers are tidying the derelict arboretum so access was

restricted to half of the woods. A short stretch of fairly rough path had to

be negotiated to cross from one side of the arboretum to the other. The

collection of trees planted amongst native trees is around 100 years old at

least. Several specimen trees are tall with inaccessible foliage at the top

so identification is difficult. Hornbeam, Large-leaved Lime, a Weeping

Morinda Spruce Picea, smithiana, White Spruce Picea, glauca, Lawson's

Cypress, Western Red Cedar, Japanese Cedar Cryptomeria japonica, a

glaucous variety of Douglas Fir and a Chinese Juniper were some of the

trees identified.

On our return to the Priory we passed the new gardens alongside the

drive. 'Peace be with you' had been woven into the tall wire fence using

sheep's wool. A female scarecrow had been constructed using plastic

bottles and sheets of plastic. At the Priory I had arranged for tea and

biscuits but we were surprised by Sister Therese who took us to a

magnificent room with laid on beverage and an iced chocolate cake. The

cake was delicious and little was left. There was no charge so donations

were left for the refreshments and the chapel. We all were grateful for the

hospitality and welcome offered by the staff.

12 September - Sunday - WITTON CASTLE - David Bellamy

It was my privilege to lead a late summer walk around the grounds of

Witton Castle in Weardale. The choice was mine as it almost in my back

yard and it has recently come under new ownership. The management

team are heaven bent to turn it into a show case for caravan and lodge

holidays all bursting with history both natural and man made.

The Castle dates from the 14th Century and time has taken its toll but

great plans are afoot. Meanwhile a walk on the wilder side now follows a

time line from the end of the last ice age (or was it) to last year’s holiday

season when nature trails began to spring up.

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En route we past ancient Oaks, the remains of a deer park and other

big native trees some showing the effects of ancient coppicing and all

buzzing with invertebrates.

There are young woodlands planted to heal the effects of coal mining

and a magical stand of semi-ancient Yews. Fishing lakes new and old and

forgotten ponds and wetlands now being rejuvenated to the delight of

Dragonflies and Kingfishers.

One of the great problems of letting me lead the pack is I still rush

about and jump in the wet bits shouting loudly to the annoyance of the

avifauna. My only excuse is that I am a botanist and despite my

shortcomings I hope we all will visit the castle again and see how the big

experiment is working out.

14 September - Tues - DRINKFIELD MARSH LNR (NZ287174)

John Turner

On a cloudy, cold and breezy evening 12 members visited Drinkfield

Marsh to search for bats. As the weather conditions were not favourable,

bats were in short supply but eventually the bat detector picked up a

lonely Pipistrelle flying over the lake. Whilst waiting for the bats we were

entertained by a small flock of Starlings doing their evening pre-roosting

manoeuvres over the lake and flights of Canada Geese flying low over our

heads to settle for the night on the lake with the resident Mallards. A

Tawny Owl was seen flying over the entrance to the reserve,

Flowers recorded were Sticky Groundsel Senecio viscosus, White

Bryony Bryonia dioica (at its northern limit on this site), Leopard's Bane

Doronicum pardalianches, Corn Marigold Chrysanthemum segatum and

Large Bindweed Calystegia silvaticum. Mare's Tail Hippuris vulgaris was

growing vigorously in the lake despite recent efforts to clear it.

18 September - Saturday - CROWTREES COLLIERY and

NATURE RESERVE (GR NZ334376) - Steve Keeney

Six members and 2 guests attended. Fortunately, although there had

been a lengthy spell of dull weather before the visit on the day of the walk,

the weather remained dry and bright but cool. The group took the

opportunity to visit the adjoining churchyard of St Paul's church.

Consecrated in 1868 and demolished in 1993 the vacated church became

unstable following blasting from the nearby Cold Knuckles limestone

quarry. The churchyard is being managed as part of the living

churchyards’ project and includes well-designed information boards and

balances maintaining wildlife areas with the need for access to graves.

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The group then entered the nature reserve and followed the

suggested route of the Crowtrees Heritage Group who have produced a

leaflet and erected excellent information boards on the reserve. There

were 3 Crowtrees Collieries that encapsulate the history of mining on the

Durham magnesian limestone plateau. The first colliery started in 1780

won coal close to the surface. This was replaced in the 1830's when a

deeper shaft was established further east with the coal being transported

by rail to Teesside. In 1866 this pit was closed and a new shaft sunk with

the coal being used to fuel ironworks at West Cornforth. The remains of

the headgear from this phase, which finally ended in 1897 after the

collapse of the Iron market, can still be seen on site.

The site is a local nature reserve and SSSI managed by Durham

County Council. Rare magnesian limestone grassland on the plateau

provides habitats for a variety of wildlife and rare plants such as Blue

Moor grass, Rock Rose and Orchids. As a result a great diversity of plant

species were kindly recorded by Falgunee Sarker. 10 species of common

birds were recorded with good views of a Grey Heron and a Kestrel

hovering. The site, including ponds, proved to have abundant insects and

butterflies including Speckled Wood and Meadow Brown, and Brown

Hawker and Emperor Dragonflies. A dead Field Vole was found and

became an instant celebrity surrounded by enthusiastic photographers. A

very enjoyable outing with interesting industrial archaeology and wildlife!

21 September - Tuesday - FUNGUS FORAY IN FLATTS WOOD,

BARNARD CASTLE - Alan Legg

The discovery of two new fungus species for County Durham at this

site last year provided the impetus for the arrangement of the Club Foray

in autumn 2010. Disappointingly only half a dozen people made the

journey for the short but attractive afternoon walk through mixed woodland

northwards along the course of the Percy Beck.

The weather was pleasant and, although nothing exciting was in

evidence, forayers enjoyed finding the fairly representative sample of

common species we listed. Out of a modest total of 27 species, 17 were

toadstools, 2 brackets and 2 puffballs.

As well as its very common relative the Sulphur Tuft, Hypholoma

fasciculare, we found material of the less-frequently collected H.

capnoides on a conifer stump. Inocybe asterospora, the name of which

focuses on its decidedly spiky spores, also turned up. The genus

Melanoleuca produces a number of quite large species but is, for some

reason, little-remarked. On this occasion the collection was of M.

cinerascens. The specimen causing the most interest and comment,

however, was the rather beautiful if not uncommon Amethyst Deceiver,

Laccaria amethystea, found under oak almost at the end of our walk.

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26 September - Sunday - TEESMOUTH - Don Griss

As the wind had moderated and swung to the north-east overnight

seven members gathered at the end of the Zinc Works road at the start of

the day, ready to search the bushes for migrants. We had been enthused

by a report of a Woodchat Shrike at Hartlepool but were soon disillusioned

as no birds were present. As we were so near .we walked along the dunes

to the slag wall overlooking the Greatham Channel. Here we were able to

take some shelter from the still strong breeze and set up the telescopes.

Fortune was still against us as a survey vessel was cruising up and down

and disturbing the area in front of our position. We were, however, able to

note several species of bird including Grey Plover, Red-breasted

Merganser, Shelduck, and Bar-tailed Godwit. A Grey Seal was also seen

but this soon moved to avoid the boat. While this was going on some of

the party disgraced themselves by doing some surreptitious botanising

and will give a separate report. After a while the need for hot drinks and

sustenance forced us to drive to RSPB Saltholme for lunch.

An hour later, after admiring the Greenshank parading in front of the

visitor centre, we started our round of the hides beginning at the wildlife

watch point. Here we had several duck, a Stock Dove and a Little Egret

but the highlight was two Common Snipe that were crouched beside a

clod of earth in a muddy area and were extremely difficult to see. Some

people were unable to see them even when the telescope was set up

pointing straight at the birds.

We moved on via Paddy's Hide to Saltholme Pool seeing a flock of

migrating Pink-footed Geese while we were walking and hearing their

distinctive calls. At the pool we were shown a Curlew Sandpiper with

some Dunlin. Other species present were Golden Plover, Ringed Plover,

Black-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Pochard, Shoveler and several other ducks.

Some Dunlin and a Redshank came very close to the hide giving beautiful

views.

We left for the visitor centre and home at c16.00hrs just as the rain

started.