Lathkill Dale

26th May 2007

Well Dressing at Monyash.

Looking down Cales Dale to Lathkill Dale.

Jackob's Ladder in Lathkill Dale.

Early Purple Orchids in Lathkill Dale.

Walk stats:

Distance: 11.1.miles; Climb: 899'; Time: 6 hours 18 minutes; Walking Average: 2.6 m.p.h.

Group: Martyn, Richard and Celia.

A later than usual start ensured that we experienced heaviest of the forecast rain whilst still in the car. The temperature at the start was just about approaching the 12 degrees Celsius minimum for baring the legs. When the sun was hidden by clouds, the breeze made it feel decidedly cool!

This was indeed a walk with surprises, so much so that we were only on the move for just over 4 hours, having lunch for about 20 minutes and standing still for the rest of the time. Lathkill Dale is one of English Nature's gems, one of the Derbyshire Dales best Nature Reserves. Whilst this area is very popular with walkers there were times when we could stop and stare at the beauty of the many and varied flowers that we encountered on route, especially in the upper section of Lathkill Dale. Jacob's Ladder, a Red Book List species was the most notable species that we could recognise (thanks to a convenient information board). If the magnicent valleys and gorges, typical of limestone country with miriads of flowering plants was not enough, it was also the time of the year when villages displayed their skill of well dressing. Monyash displayed a good one depicting the anniversary of the mass tresspass on Kinder. Chunky Dippers entertained us they bobbed up and down, in and out of the water and the protective nature of Coot was displayed as it drove off inquisitive ducks as they approached the nest containing six quite small chicks. However the star display was a female Tufted Duck. The water in the river was so clear that we saw the bird dive and for several minutes observed the the bird swimming under water feeding off the bottom. Further down river the remains of Lathkill Dales industrial past came to light. The path went between the stone supports that used to carry the water away from some of the Mandale mine Company's lead mines. We also visited Bateman's House. James Bateman who was involved with the Lathkill Dale Mining Company in 1825. He installed a revolutionary pumping angine to solve the problem of underground flooding. He installed this in a shaft under the building that later became his home.

This wonderful walk is one that demands to be repeated, and the end of May into June seems to be the best time to choose.

Some of the flowers seen were: Jacob's Ladder, Ransons, Bluebells (native with their white/cream anthers and pollen), Spanish Bluebells (with their blue anthers and pollen, seen in a farm yard), Early Purple Orchids, Yellow archangel, Field Mouse-ear Chickweed, Fairy Flax, Creeping Buttercup, Meadow Buttercup, White Clover, Common Poppy and Common Field Speedwell.

Birds seen or heard include: Skylark, Carrion Crow, Rook, Goldfinch, Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Robin, Chaffinch, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, Greenfinch, Rook, Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck and Dipper. However the bird of the day was not on the walk, but observed from the car on the way home. a Little Owl was seen sitting on top of the roadside lamp-post close to the canal bridge near the Chester turning just outside Nantwhich.

Two bees were seen on the Jacob's Ladder flowers. These were the Buff-tailed Bumblebee and the Large Red-tailed Bumblebee. The only other animals seen today were : Rabbits, Black Slugs, Snails and a Brown Trout.

The day was capped with an excellent pint (or two or three) of Hartington Bitter at that pub of character the Wilkes Head at Leek. Indeed we were entertained by some somewhat bawdy folk singing, at least that's what Celia and Richard told me. My hearing isn't what it used to be, and I didn't catch all the words!