Bishop Middleham Old Quarry. A Great Day.

As we walked through the woodland ride which leads to the disused magnesian limestone quarry we were grateful of the shelter that the Ash, Sycamore and other surrounding trees and verdant herbage gave us from what now was a blazing hot sun in a clear blue sky.  At this point we didn’t realise that our next few hours in the quarry were to be spent in sweltering conditions on what was the hottest day of the year so far.  In this damp and humid atmosphere, we found interesting plants including our first Wild Strawberries of the day and Ringlet Butterflies, and we were able to photograph Grasshoppers as we listened to the tac of a Blackcap.  Giant sized fungi grew on a decaying tree stump in a more sheltered and dark area of the wood.  Germander Speedwell was abundant along the sides of the pathway.

Field Grasshopper

Common Green Grasshopper

It wasn’t long before we entered the more open part of the quarry, it was like entering a furnace.  Not worked since 1934, this old quarry underlines just how well nature can flourish, when in the main, left to its own devices with just a little careful management by Durham Wildlife Trust.  It is certainly one of my favourite sites in Durham and I never tire of visiting.  It’s my belief that nature will carry on long after people has disappeared and that is a comforting belief to have.  It was immediately noticeable that Rock Rose, that the Northern Brown Argus Butterfly depends upon, was very much abundant.  Northern Brown Argus Butterflies where here in numbers, and although flighty in the heat of the sun it was possible to gain some decent images.  These butterflies are so moth like in flight they can be easily overlooked.  By now we were in our own little worlds, concentrating upon what was surrounding us and not feeling a need for the spoken word.

Rock Rose

Northern Brown Argus

Northern Brown Argus

Northern Brown Argus

It is amazingly easy too, to overlook the Common Twayblade the first orchid along with Lady tresses to be recorded in Britain, noted by William Turner (born in Morpeth) in his Names of Herbs in 1548.  Perhaps because of their sheer number in the quarry it would have been difficult to overlook them today. Despite looking initially uninteresting they are worthy of closer inspection; the flower being shaped like a human figure.  The plant is pollinated by small insects which follow the nectar filled groove leading up the lip of the flower.  Very flighty Northern Brown Argus, Small Skippers, Common Blue, Small Heath and Meadow Brown Butterflies were around us during our inspection of the botanical interest.

Twayblade

Northern Brown Argus

Twayblade

If Common Twayblade is easy to pass by, I can think of few people who would pass exotic Bee Orchids without showing some real interest, and we came across a few fine examples today. The flower has evolved wonderfully to look like bees even down to the hairy parts, the evolutionary irony is that at least in Britain the plants are self-pollinating.  In parts of Europe bees still aid pollination.  Common Spotted Orchids where everywhere and Sam found us a Pyramidal Orchid too.

Bee Orchid

Bee Orchid.  The yellow pollinia clearly seen will be blown by a slight breeze and stick onto the stigma and pollination will take place.

Bee Orchid.  One of the Pollinia appears to be stuck to the stigma.

Time passed us by very quickly and it was around 2:00pm when hot, dry and not a little hungry we decided to adjourn back to the car for lunch.  As I ate my sandwiches I looked at the wild Poppy at the side of the road which looked as if it had dropped to the wayside on Remembrance Day.  It was one Poppy of many seen today, although Poppy fields of years gone by are regrettably a true rarity these days.  Rested and cooled down a little we returned to the quarry.  Climbing the stone steps to the upper storey was demanding in the heat.

Pyramidal Orchid

Sam is keen to let me know he found the Pyramidal Orchid.:-)

Small Heath Butterfly

Until now we had left the wild strawberries alone, but we eventually gave way to temptation and tried one.  The tart luscious taste was fleeting but seldom have I enjoyed such a small item so much, the sun and surroundings adding pleasure to the experience.  That one small strawberry put Morrison's insipid berries to shame.

Wild Strawberry

Wild Strawberry

By now I had almost forgotten we were in Durham as the limestone area, grassland and floral interest suggested wilder areas of Europe, in the main such areas long gone in an overpopulated and over worked Britain.  We both decided that we don’t give enough attention to botany and on my part I forget some of the names of plants.  We decided that we must give more attention to the subject.

Common Centaury

Common Milkwort

The quarry is perhaps best known for the large number of Dark Red Helleborines it supports.  This orchid is among my favourite of flowers, but sadly it will be a week or two before they bloom, although that gives us a reason to make a quick return visit, so there is always a positive side to these things.  We did eventually come across a newly opened flower of this orchid which gave an idea of how these plants will look when the many spikes hold their drooping bell like red wine-coloured flowers.

The only Dark Red Helleborine we found with a flower and still not at its best.

Thyme was everywhere.

Greater Knapweed

The afternoon passed as we examined plants and took the occasional rest.  I must have been over 30 degrees and the sun reflected from bare patches of limestone.  As our visit drew to a close, I added a lifer to my list in the form of a very faded Dingy Skipper Butterfly.  Large Skipper was also added to days list as was our one and only Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly which brought our list of butterflies to 10 species for the day.  It was a day when I had barely given a thought to birds although we did have a nice sighting of Yellowhammer and a fleeting one of Greater Spotted Woodpecker, later finding a worn feather of the latter species.   Even odonata had had a look in with a Broad Bodied Chaser  Dragonfly giving us the run around. We had the quarry to ourselves for most of the time only coming across the occasional visitor with whom we exchanged some pleasant chat.

Large Skipper Butterfly

Attractive Snail Shell

As we approached to wooded area again I felt the very slight touch of a cooling breeze, just for a couple of seconds, but it was so welcome as was the relative cooling shade given by the trees.   Red Admiral Butterflies seemed to enjoy this shade too.  Sam heard the call of Common Terns, probably flying to Castle Lake which we usually visit, but today it was right that our full attention was given to the quarry habitat, and we had been well rewarded.  Such was the silence of the day; I had quite forgotten that we were next door to a large working quarry and it wasn’t until we were almost back to the car that I heard to mechanical sounds.

Mouse-ear Hawkweed

Pignut

Wild Rose sp

Sam found his car covered in a coating of pollen as we decided to make off for home, leaving any further exploration of the area until a later date.  We were cream crackered.  I arrived home, had a beer and lay down for ten minutes, which extended to forty minutes, and if I hadn’t needed to eat it would have been longer!.  Best day I’ve had in a long time.

Common Spotted Orchid

John Clare Summed up our day really well in the following lines

Until the vision waked with time
And left me itching after rhyme
Where little pictures idly tells
Of natures powers and natures spells
  

Local Wanderings

Lockdown has offered a few advantages, not least being an improved Spring watch on TV, much better concentrating on nature, and without its banal patter and silly joking.

 

My wanderings continue to be periods spent in the garden and walks on patch, although I confess to an atmospheric morning spent at the Rising Sun Country Park.  I’ve found myself concentrating on the small and generally more common things that nature has to offer and I’ve enjoyed every minute.

Yellowhammer.  Compliments of Samuel Hood

We spent another evening on Killingworth Moor, this time as mist in the shape of sea fret threatened to envelop us.  Rather than spoiling the evening walk it added to the atmosphere and enjoyment.  The usual birds were about, but two things especially remain in my mind.  Firstly, the delicate simplicity of the Dog Roses, several having closed their petals in the leaden grey and damp conditions, their structure clearly showing why they have the name rose.  No doubt they were adding to the aroma that hung strongly in the damp air that surrounded us.  Secondly, it was the reeling of at least three Grasshopper Warblers, John Clare’s Cricket Birds. We stood very closely to one of these birds without seeing it, but it was the sound that held our attention for so long.  It was one of those periods when no words or other sound was required.  My mind strayed back to evenings on safari in southern Africa when the Cicadas were so loud it seemed we were surrounded by machinery in operation that would be suddenly switched off, and then just as suddenly be turned on again.  Standing in silence, our minds focused only on listening.  The reeling Grasshopper Warbler gave a similar experience.

Yellow Iris

Northen Marsh Orchid (pos hybrid)

Common Spotted Orchid 

It was also an overcast and rather humid atmosphere that met us at The Rising Sun Country Park.  There were no great surprises in terms of birds seen but a very enjoyable morning was had anyway.  Screaming Swifts flew low over hedges and pond and once again there was plenty of birdsong including several Song Thrush.

It was once again botanical interest that held the concentration with an exceptionally good number of Orchids (some possibly hybrids) in bloom alongside the likes of Yellow Iris and Ragged Robbin.  As Sam walked through the taller grasses I could almost imagine that we had returned to the flower meadows of the Bukk Hills in Hungary, but I was unable to hold on to that thought for too long.

Meadow Cranesbill

Dog Rose

Bindweed

Bindweed

It was beside Dukes Pond that we were treated to delicate flowers in the form of Meadow Cranesbill, the vivid colours of a mix of the blue Cranesbill and the yellow of the Buttercups painting a wonderful scene.  One especially vivid blue Cranesbill with still crumpled petals  appeared to have just recently bloomed and was partnered by another still not fully out of bud.  Nearby a common, but equally delicate display was given by blooms of Bindweed, many of the budding flowers yet to open.

The insect of the day was the photogenic Red-legged Shield Bug.  Apparently common, but no less interesting.  Until I researched this I had not realised that there were so many species of Shield Bug in the UK.

Red legged Shield Bug

The rain followed by warming sunshine gave some perfect lighting conditions in the garden for some more images of bees and an assortment of other insects.  The white evergreen geraniums were planted last year with a view to attracting bees and it has brought positive results.

The Feather below hung blowing in a light breeze all day before dropping and floating off.

I keep trying for the perfect Speckled Wood Image!  This species were involved in courtship flight liked twirling ballet dancers yesterday, in the air over a sunlit garden.

Evening Atmosphere on Patch

We have spent several evenings on patch recently, a mix of cold but more often warm evenings out there in the open farmland.  It has been most rewarding, reflecting many of the aspects of birdwatching I most enjoy, and patch birding at its best.  Peace, painted skyscapes, changing cloud formations and wonderful sunsets to go along with lots of bird activity.  Evenings well spent and no need to travel any distance whatsoever.  A great lift during a difficult period.  I mention below some of the highlights.

At the beginning of the year someone noted a large influx of Yellowhammers into the area, I seem to remember that a flock of one hundred was mentioned.  For a species becoming less and less common it has been good to see so many breeding pairs in the area.  Each evening has been filled with Yellowhammer song coming from every direction, and some of those birds have shown so well their stunning yellow colouring in the evening light.  This brought back memories of a trip to Spindlestone some years back where Yellowhammers were numerous.

Common Whitethroat have been seen in numbers too, the hedges full of their song and display.  I cannot remember seeing so many in this area before.  The hedges a mass of blossom, in a spring where blossom has been so good from so many trees.  Willow Warblers have competed with song and the Grasshopper Warbler too, the latter usually later in the evening.  Lapwings, Skylarks and Grey Partridge have been the star birds of the open fields, with Meadow Pipits showing too.    The Lapwings entertained continually as they guarded nests and young, their calls unmistakable.  I’m hoping at least a few young survive the attention of the corvids and the Red Fox.  Sam had a good and close sighting of an unafraid Red Fox and I heard the calls of a vixen as I walked home one evening in the darkness.   That was an eerie moment as I stood for some seconds in complete solitary silence except for the vixen calling. Perhaps the best sighting of Skylark was as we watched it ascend and display, with the waxing moon as a backdrop in a clear darkening blue sky.  Grey Partridge numbers seemed high and their calling, best just as darkness fell after sunset, added much to a wonderful atmosphere.  What a miss Grey Partridges are to the countryside as whole.

We were remined that nature is tough when we noticed Lapwing chicks go missing, found the remains of the Grey Partridge killed by a predator, and the freshly killed Moorhen which seemed to have not a mark on it.  A family of Linnets seemed to be doing well and we watched the parent feeding three young.  Losses and gains are another aspect of nature.

It was good to see and hear so many Song Thrushes.  Dare we hope that their comeback continues strongly?  Certainly, the winner of the song contest in my view goes to the Song Thrush that sang in darkness from the top of the Ash Tree.  The silent approach of night meant that the song carried far into the distance as we walked home.  We had stood under the tree for some time listening to the repeated phrases of the song.  Clearly an experienced performer, as I don’t remember hearing so many repeated phrases from a Song Thrush before.  The Nightingale is lauded by many, but I’m content with the Song Thrush and Blackbird, although that particular evening did bring back memories of when we stood and listened to Thrush Nightingale on a warm evening in Sweden.  The atmosphere if not the temperature, surprisingly similar.  After an absence of some weeks a Song Thrush returned to my garden briefly on 1st June.

Numbers of Swallow and Swift were not high, but we did catch sight of a pair of Swift mating in the air and both species made several appearances.  Now I could go on about Swifts at length but that would be repeating a previous blog, The Devils Bird, written by me some time ago.  http://killybirder.blogspot.com/2015/08/the-devils-bird.html

Raptors made appearances as well.  Two Common Buzzards in the distance, a Kestrel regularly seen and a Sparrowhawk mobbing a certain bird until it left the field.  There were the unexpected birds too, including a Canada Goose possibly making for The Rising Sun Country Park and a pair of overhead calling Oystercatchers.

There was much more of course, and that’s why we were there.  Birding and atmosphere at its best, not to mention much needed exercise (for me anyway).  Botanical aspects of our trips out were not forgotten either.

I note that there is rain on the way and it is certainly much needed.  Much of the land is parched.  (Addendum…Rain has arrived!)

It is a crying shame that this wonderful habitat is to be lost.  I wonder how many of the planners and officials so intent on covering this land with brick and cement have ever walked through the area and appreciated what it offers to wildlife and the people of the Bourgh.  Below are a few lines from a John Clare poem which I think can be addressed to them.  Different times, different circumstances, but similarities none the less.

These paths are stopt - the rude philistine's thrall
Is laid upon them and destroyed them all
Each little tyrant with his little sign
Shows where man claims earth glows no more divine
But paths to freedom and to childhood dear
A board sticks up to notice 'no road here'
And on the tree with ivy overhung
The hated sign by vulgar taste is hung
As tho' the very birds should learn to know
When they go there they must no further go
Thus, with the poor, scared freedom bade goodbye
And much they feel it in the smothered sigh
And birds and trees and flowers without a name
All sighed when lawless law's enclosure came
And dreams of plunder in such rebel schemes
Have found too truly that they were but dreams

Lines from The Mores (Moors) by John Clare.

The spring of 2020 is one for our book when/if we ever get it written.