Tales from the tow path
Another great guided walk this week, this time leading a client in very different setting. The middle/lower Derwent valley was the birth place of the industrial revolution and is steeped in history with the impact of man and industry clear to see all around. What is less well known is how verdant and wildlife rich this UNESCO world heritage site is. A far cry from how it would have been in the nineteenth century when those mills, established by the first pioneering industrialists, would have been at the height of the production.
We planned an easy early morning ramble along the Cromford canal starting at the Wharfe that lies in the shadow of Sir Richard Arkwright’s famous Cromford mill, past High Peak Junction to the greener, wilder parts of the canal beyond looking for, amongst other things, one of its most famous residents – the Water Vole.
First it was a detour to check out a section of the River Derwent where there was a good chance of spotting a Dipper or two and we weren’t to be disappointed! Within a minute or two of arriving at the water a ‘zit, zit’ flight call and a whir of wings saw one of these chunky brown and white aquatic specialists alight on a rock close by where it was joined shortly after by a second bird. The next 15 minutes saw us getting brilliant views of these birds as they sang, ‘dipped’ and fed underwater and we were even treated to one of the birds in song (a lovely liquid warble). We were surprised when a third bird appeared and began to feed happily alongside the original ‘pair’ leaving us speculating that this was one of this year’s youngsters. To add to this we were able to tick Kingfisher as one of these turquoise and orange missiles flashed upriver.
Then it was on to the canal itself. The Cromford canal was completed at the end of the eighteenth century and provided a vital transport link moving limestone (for the iron and steel industries) down from Cromford (and later lead ore too) and bringing cotton, coal and other supplies up to the mills. Now it’s a pleasant, species rich green corridor allowing lovely easy walks along its tow path for resident and visitor alike.
The beautiful Little Grebe (or Dabchick) is a common sight on the canal and we saw plenty, the clear water letting the viewer follow this diminutive diving bird in its pursuit of small fish and aquatic invertebrates.
One of the canals many adorable Dabchicks
We also had great views of some of the more common birds that inhabit the well wooded banks of the canal with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Treecreeper, Jay, Bullfinch and Chiffchaff all seen well whilst Southern Hawker and Common Darter dragonflies cruised about looking for breakfast.
Where the aquaduct carries the canal back across the Derwent (just before the aptly named Aquaduct Cottage – currently being renovated by fantastic volunteers for the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust) we were treated to another Dipper, a second Kingfisher and gorgeous Grey Wagtail on the river.
The Water Voles remained elusive but a fantastic walk was had and it was great to introduce the client to this surprisingly wildlife rich part of the county.
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