A Healthy River

At the weekend while down on the riverbank, I discovered some old signs of Otter activity. I was then told by one of the Friends’ that he had seen two Otters less than a week ago. On the River Derwent we do have otters, but they are elusive and as they are predominantly nocturnal or corpuscular (Active at Dawn and Dusk), they are difficult to find and rarely seen.

Unfortunately I have discovered that some people are jealous of me for having seen the otters, I have even been accused of making it up, but the otters are their and they are thriving, as the Picture of the Otter Scat shows. I have had some strange looks and comments when I have truthfully told them that I have been taking pictures of wildlife poo, but it’s a useful tool for assessing the health of any wildlife population. I would prefer to be taking pictures of the otters themselves, but while I have tried, they are too secretive for me to have had any luck so far.

Another problem is the territory size, Otters need up to twenty miles of river to hunt and breed on, that means they are often on the move from one holt to another. This was something I discovered from observation, and confirmed by reading what is known. One of the greatest problems that the otters face is disturbance by man, not intentional disturbance, and his best friend the dog. Otters can often be around people without them realising it, I have spoken to many fishermen who have seen otters and were surprised they were there. Further the otters were undisturbed by the human presence. However, add a dog and the otters behaviour changes and the will vacate the area and avoid it at the times when dog walkers are about.

Anyway with otters in mind I headed off yesterday to see if I could find where the otters are. With the new digital camera I felt that I stood a good chance of getting something. However, I had made the mistake of picking up all the wrong batteries. I use rechargeable ones, I can see you are all ahead of me here, and I took out the ones that needed charging. I did get to see plenty of fresh signs of otter activity but pictures no.

I did however see water voles again; I saw one at the weekend, as well as plenty of other wildlife, Dippers, Grey Wagtails and a Kingfisher. So while I returned home resembling something the titanic should avoid, I was very pleased to see that the river is looking so healthy.

Walking the History Trail

Cue the Danger Mouse theme tune, however I cant afford David Jason to do the voice over! Yesterday I was a Mouse on a Mission!

On Wednesdays meeting of the Friends of Chopwell Wood committee, our secretary put out a request for photographs of some of the elements that make up our LHI (Lottery Heritage Initiative) trail. As he doesn’t know one end of a camera from another, that’s why he keeps on thinking he is getting films back that belong to opticians. So I thought I would try and get the images he needs. Thus I was up early with the aim of getting these pictures taken.

Now normally I tend to steer clear of the areas of the wood that are popular especially at weekends, as I know that for wildlife photography or even wildlife watching, other people can and do disturb the wildlife. They don’t do it intentionally, but few people seem to be able to walk in the countryside without making a lot of noise. I am not bothered by it, others are welcome to use my wood just as much as I do, and it’s always great to see others enjoying the wood too. Today people didn’t matter as I would be taking pictures of objects and primarily not the Fauna and Flora. That said I still keep my eyes open and ears attuned, as you just don’t know what you are going to see. And while there were quite a number of people about, they were much quieter than I normally experience.

Also there are many people who I now begging to recognise, and they all seem to know me. Or is it that there dogs that recognise me? Thus, it was a real pleasure to walk, greet and chat to many of the people out yesterday.

Getting the images was not practically challenging, and that is the advantage of using digital, as I could take lots to ensure that I had all angles covered. Had I used film it would have cost a fortune.

However, it was the fact that I was walking in the places I frequent least that enabled me to realise that I was missing some potentially interesting encounters. I could see a regular badger track in one location as well as signs of fox. Also I realised that there were locations near by where large numbers of birds must be roosting, and hence there would be a great dawn chorus. There were also indications of a bird of prey plucking post. As we had a pair of Goshawks nesting just beyond the boundaries of the forest, I cant say what bird it could be as both Sparrow hawks and Goshawks share the behaviour of using the same spot for plucking their lunch.

Part of the reason for taking up the challenge of trying to take the photos of the heritage elements in the woods was simply that they are well spaced out. That meant it was going to provide a good long walk at the very least. That in its self can open up opportunities to see something different. Not that I don’t want to see all the common sights as even seeing what you expect and hope to be there in terms of the wildlife is a good indication of a healthy ecology.

Having got the pictures in the North end of the wood, I was walking down next to the car park when another member of the Friends’ came along, a man that I will refer to only as RB or Rancid Badger for short. Don’t ask, but I didn’t name him that, he chose the name himself. It was fortunate that we met at that moment as it was just starting to rain. So we decanted to the Forest Classroom for shelter and Tea. As RB was meeting another of the Earth skills stalwarts, we decided we would all go for a walk down to Lintzford Mill together and just enjoy the spontaneity of being out with no particular destination other than the mill its self.

I always enjoy walking with RB, as he really does know his stuff, wild foods, the uses of plant materials for making objects. Personally he knocks the likes of Ray Mears into a cocked hat. Every time I am out with him I learn so much. Further there is no bull about him, he doesn’t claim or try to be all knowing and I always appreciate someone who will say that they don’t know something.

What was also great was the way we were just feeding ourselves on the berries along the way. Now I pride myself on my observational skills, but its rare to be with other people who are as observant. Moreover they appreciate the importance of the vitality of the countryside. It was at one of our little stops looking to see what had been eating the hazel seeds that one of them observed the robin in the picture.

As we ventured out of the wood, we stopped to observer the cattle on the farm. I do love the traditional breeds and it was a delight to see these Highland Cattle, they do look a bit like Doggle out of the Magic Roundabout though. Then stopping on the bridge we could see trout in the river.

Exploring further we discovered just how wonderful and quiet the areas are beyond the bounds of the forest are. We all tried to put the world to rights as we wandered. If only talk could solve the worlds problems.

Then I left them to go back via the wood, I wanted to explore further and I followed the course of the river back to Blackhall Mill. But I will leave what I saw there for another time.

Topography of Chopwell Wood

Chopwell Wood is drained by a number of streams, brooks or ditches into the River Derwent. This actually means that the ground under foot is usually quite good. Even with all the rain we have had during the summer, the ground never became so bad that it was not possible to walk in the wood. However there are still places that get and remain muddy and sticky, or other places where caution is advised as the ground becomes slick and traitorous.

Part of the reason why it stays reasonably dry are these burns, as well as the geology of the soils, they are for the most part sandy, with a layer of mud, all the result of glacial activity long before this mouse was born. But it all goes to make the wonderful topography we have today.

So as I am just out of the bath, here is a clean image for you.

On the River Derwent

First, I thank the person who pointed out that there was a problem with the counter that I added. It is here more for fun than for any other reason, I just liked the idea of it being ladybirds. And while it is nice to know that this mouse’s efforts are being read, for me it’s the quality of the people not the quantity.

The counter is now at the bottom of the page, and all the digits can now be read, I was told it was showing zero, well it just shows that apart from you dear reader, I don’t have any readers. Well at least you’re a member of an exclusive club.

The picture for now is another taken down by the river.

River Derwent

Just thought I would share this picture of the Derwent River taken the other day.