Slaidburn and The Hodder Valley
At the heart of the Forest of Bowland
for the community and available to all
Slaidburn and The Hodder ValleyAt the heart of the Forest of Bowlandfor the community and available to all |
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Slaidburn and Hodder Valley Natural HistoryContibuted by: Jeremy James, Bowland Ecology Ltd: www.bowlandecology.co.uk Slaidburn lies between the River Hodder and Croasdale Beck. The landscape of the valley is varied with areas of woodland, meadow, farmland, stone walls and the historic buildings of the village itself. All of these are habitats which attract a variety of wildlife. The river valleys are a focal point for wild animals providing places of shelter and an important source of food. The rivers are rich in aquatic life with an abundance of insects and fish. These in turn provide food for a variety of animals.
The otter is known to be present on the River Hodder catchment. An Environment Agency survey in 2005 found evidence of otters at 16% of sites sampled on the Ribble Catchment. When compared to previous surveys the Environment Agencies study suggested that otter numbers within the Ribble catchment had increased. Evidence of otters was found throughout the whole catchment including the Hodder. Otters have a large ‘home range’, males can use 20-40km of river, becks, ponds and wetlands. Hence, whilst this beautiful wild animal has not been seen locally in recent times there is no reason why its range might not extend to the area in the future. From the rivers’ edge through to the woodland, coarse grassland, gardens, and verges are habitats for small mammals. Grey squirrels are plentiful in local woods with an annoying penchant for the offerings of garden bird tables! Rabbits abound in the meadows and moles make their characteristic spoil heaps in fields around the village. Bank vole, field vole, shrews and mice attract hunting birds like the tawny owl. If one looks closely at old moss and fern covered stone walls, particularly along Catlow road, small ‘paths’ or runs can be seen between voids in the stones and over carpets of moss. These are evidence of stoats which use the voids in the walls to build their nests. Stoats will feed on birds, small mammals especially voles, rabbits and even hares. Stoats appear similar to weasels but can be easily distinguished by the distinctive black tip of their tail.
Brown hare is relatively common in the area. However, game bag records indicate a fall in numbers of around 80% during the 20th century. The brown hare is not native to Britain but was introduced before the Roman invasion. It is mainly nocturnal but can occasionally be seen during the day particularly bolting from a resting place if disturbed. An element of mystery surrounds the hare and it has always featured strongly in myth and literature. The traditional 'mad March hare' behaviour of the brown hare is actually unreceptive females fending off males, rather than fighting between males. As spring approaches common frogs, toads and newts migrate to areas of standing water to spawn. These attract larger predators such as foxes, herons and owls. The adder, a member of the viper family and Britain's only venomous snake, is known to occur on the Bowland Fells. It is easily recognised by the zigzag stripe down its back. Don’t be alarmed though, adders prefer open moors and heathland and generally keep out of the way of disturbance! As light fades on clear and warm summer evenings the distinctive silhouette of bats can be picked out in the evening sky. The daubenton’s bat, a water specialist which roosts in suitable places such as bridges, can be seen gleaning insects from the surface of the River Hodder. This agile flyer hangs on branches or walls during breaks from hunting. Compared to other species, daubenton’s bat has large feet and its wing membranes do not extend to its feet; these special adaptations allow the bat to pick insects off the surface of the water. Our commonest bats, pipistrelles have taken well to human habitation and enjoy roosting in buildings in the village. These diminutive bats can be seen taking their insect prey ‘on the wing’ along the edges of bushes and trees along the lanes running through the village. A single pipistrelle can consume up to 3000 insects in a night, helping to keep the midges and mosquitoes at bay!
[Bowland Ecology Ltd is registered in England and Wales. Company No. 5348761.]
For bird watching information click here For more information of the Wildlife of the Forest of Bowland visit Bowland Wildlife - www.bowlandwildlife.org.uk Lancashire Wildlife - www.lancashirewildlife.org.uk |
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