The evening before our visit to Castle Eden Dene, I had a long and close encounter with a Hedgehog, which I was able to watch through the patio window unknown to the subject and at times with only inches between me and it. Once a regular visitor to the garden, such visits are rarities now reflecting the national decrease in numbers of this species. This one did seem to know its way around, so I am hoping it is staying beneath the bushes at the back of the garden. Perhaps my best ever watches of this species, as it sniffed and scratched the entire time that it searched for food. It seemed in excellent condition.
My encounter
with the Hedgehog reminded me that it is often the commoner smaller things that
offer the most enjoyment. During visits
to southern Africa, I did the usual safari trips to watch the larger mammals,
and of course birds. Large mammals are
exciting to watch of course, but one thing that stays firmly in my mind was
when we ditched the transport and went on a walk in Northern Zambia in search
of smaller flora and fauna. The walk was
only momentarily disturbed when our Zambian guide informed us that we were now
standing at the spot where he had been bitten by a Black Mamba. I have no phobia of snakes, but I did not
fancy a Black Mamba for company. Our
guide had radioed for help as soon as bitten and was told help was on the way
and not to panic! Fortunately, he was no
Corporal Jones. Fortunately help and
antivenom was given quickly. Collapse
can take place within forty-five minutes after being bitten and death can occur
within hours if not treated appropriately.
I was confident there are no Black Mambas in Castle Eden Dene and so our
visit was to be a relaxing experience.
We arrived
at the dene quite early in the day hoping to miss the showers forecast to
arrive from the west. A small field near
to the carpark was a carpet of Cowslip.
Our first sightings as we took the steep pathway down into the dene were
a Grey Squirrel and Great Spotted Woodpecker. It was to be the flora that took most of our
attention. Much of the area was covered
by mats of Wild Garlic. Now, I
believe some folk like the scent of this plant but I cannot understand why, as I
have never liked the smell or taste of garlic.
The flower is extremely attractive, especially when seen in close up. Garlic Mustard was also to be found
and I initially got the two plants mixed up in my mind. As we continued our plant hunt a Frog
hopped out of sight and a Rabbits ears appeared close by us.
Our walk was
to be a slow but interesting one, as we examined the flora in a damp and cold
atmosphere. We wondered was the Currant
shrub Redcurrant or Downy Currant? In fact,
further research proved it to be a sterile Mountain Currant. All three species are represented in the
dene. A favourite plant of mine, Water
Avens was there in great number. Harts
tongue Fern and other ferns grabbed our attention, as did numbers of the Lords
and Ladies plant. The Harts Tongue
fern commonly named because of its tongue like shape and hart being the name of
male Red Deer. These ferns and the the emerging Great Horsetails added to the wild feel of the area. Before we had reached the
foot of the pathway we had seen patches of Golden Saxifrage and Wood
Forgetmenot, at least two species of Violet, Barren Strawberry,
White Dead Nettle, Bugle, and Bluebell.
Once at the
foot of gorge the steepness of the sides became apparent. Our minds pondered on the process of this
gorge being slowly cut out of the magnesian limestone over the past millennia. The magnesian Limestone had formed on the bed
of an inland sea during the Permian geological period. Trees that surrounded us included many Yews,
Oaks, Wych Elms, Ash and Hazel.
I found later that one thought on the origin of the name ‘Eden’ is
thought to have derived from the earlier Yoden or Yew Dene.
We took one
of the narrower and quieter routes and as the sun came out so did the bees and
butterflies, the latter included Large White, Green Veined White,
Orange Tip and Peacock Butterfly.
More plants were found including Primrose, Daisy, Wood Sorrel, Wood Anemone
and a wall of Golden Saxifrage on the side of the gorge over hanging
the burn. There was little water in the
burn and I believe it often dries up completely in summer months. However, there was enough water to offer the
relaxing soundscape by which I could have happily laid down and taken a nap.
Included in
the soundscape was the song and calls of birds such as Wren, Dunnock, Robin,
Song Thrush, Blackbird, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Nuthatch. I suggested that a Dawn Chorus walk here
would be special. Although, on this
occasion I did not suggest we get up at three in the morning to get down here
to take part! Two Common Buzzards
circled high above us in the warm thermals and showed wonderfully well in the
now bright clear light.
The bird species of the day for me was a pair of calling Marsh Tits which we watched gathering moss and lichen from the trees to add to a nest. This pair were seen at their best in good spring lighting conditions and so looked in pristine condition. We sat in the sun foe a while to take in our surroundings before heading back for our climb out of the dene, and it was a climb. I was cream crackered when we reached the car. In truth, I was cream crackered halfway up the pathway. I had forgotten left my sandwiches in the fridge so perhaps I can use that as a rather weak excuse. I soon got my breath back and watched a Tree Sparrow in the carpark. A Kestrel was seen during the return journey, during which the heavens opened and rain lashed down for maybe twenty minutes.
I am sure
the enticement of birds, botany and atmosphere will lure us back soon.
Having completed the blog I looked out into the garden and found the Hedgehog again. It was still scratching and seeming to find plenty of food. Natures little things continue to please.
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