Trip reports
Upper Teesdale - Widdybank and Cow Green
Saturday, 24 May 2008
We set off at 09.00hrs with Len driving and had a pleasant journey through the Tyne valley and over the hills to Weardale. After a brief stop at St. John's Chapel we crossed the hills to Langdon Beck, Teesdale. Those taking the long walk were dropped off along the road to Cow Green and the rest of the group were taken to the Cow Green car park to spend the day walking locally.
The weather was dry throughout though it remained persistently cloudy with a chill easterly blowing. A couple of sunny intervals materialised late in the day.
On the way there the hills were covered in evidence of past industrial activity including mines, spoil heaps, railways, inclined planes and quarries. This continued for much of the walk also with quite extensive evidence of mining along the upper Tees. It is good to see that nature is camouflaging this damage and the scenery is well on the way to appearing natural again. The wildlife is also doing its bit to recolonise these areas.
The long walk was most enjoyable being in beautiful surroundings with interesting birdlife, stimulating conversation and good companions. The conversation was perked up considerably by having our two French companions with us. We practised our (poor) French on them and they kindly gave us a tutorial on grammar and use of French.
The walk started and ended on made-up roads but in between went along paths and over scree. None of this was problematical though one had to watch the ground carefully. The most exciting part was the climb up the side of Cauldron Snout waterfall where scrambling skills were put to good use.
Initially it was the birds that held our interest and later the attention passed more to botany. The undoubted highlights of the day were the 18 (yes, 18!!) Black Grouse seen together in a field close to the road at Langdon Beck and the large number of Ring Ouzels seen along the River Tees. Many Lapwings, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and Swallows were seen. Smaller numbers of Snipe, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew were also observed. Chicks of Lapwing and Oystercatcher were entertaining.
It was nice to see the Redshanks and Snipe doing their summer trick of perching on fence poles. It always seems odd to see them do this when I am used to seeing them on the ground at the coast.
Other birds that it was good to see included Wheatear, Red Grouse, Dipper and Common Sandpiper. Eventually, after searching high and low, a single Golden Plover was spotted in its early breeding plumage as we approached the end of the walk. As is often the case we heard the calls of Willow Warbler but never actually saw any of the choristers. At various points on the trip we also saw House Sparrows, Black-headed and Herring Gulls, corvids (not Jay nor Raven though) and both Grey and Pied Wagtails.
Mammals consisted of rabbits, sheep and cows. The cows were handsome Galloways with long curly coats. They had numerous very attractive calves with them. One cow was rather aggressive and I experienced being butted for the first time! Another reason to come on the trips - new experiences!
We met two fly fishermen on the Tees who told us they had caught (and released) forty brown trout apiece that day. An impressive total as the river, to my untutored eye, looked too small to have much in it.
Botany played a significant role in the day. It began with identification of the Birdseye Primrose and continued through Marsh Marigold, Marsh Valerian, Wood Anemone and Mountain Pansy to culminate in Spring Gentians. All were beautiful and colourful. There were other plants we could not identify so they were just enjoyed.
All too soon we saw the coach and it was time to return to home. However, it was not over yet as we saw two Red Kites over Rowlands Gill as we wended our way down the Derwent Valley. A fitting end to a great day out.
Richard and Mary Lee
Bird List:
Mallard
Red Breasted Merganser
Moorhen
Kestrel
Red Kite
Black Grouse
Red Grouse
Red Legged Partridge
Pheasant
Oystercatcher
Ringed Plover
Golden Plover
Lapwing
Common Sandpiper
Redshank
Curlew
Snipe
Black Headed Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Herring Gull
Feral Pigeon
Swift
Skylark
Swallow
House Martin
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Dipper
Wren
Robin
Wheatear
Whinchat
Song Thrush
Mistle Thrush
Black Bird
Ring Ouzel
Willow Warbler (H)
Blue Tit
Magpie
Jackdaw
Carrion Crow
Rook
Starling
House Sparrow
Chiffchaff
Goldfinch
Greenfinch
Total 48 species