Hardwick Dene & Elm Tree Wood LNR
Owned by Stockton Borough Council, this site was declared a Local Nature Reserve in March 2004. Comprised of two steep-sided beck valleys with an area of grassland in between, Hardwick Dene was once a timber plantation surrounded by fields. With the trees long since felled, and most of the fields covered by housing, the Dene has been left to regenerate naturally, with the result that it has become a mosaic of different habitats, and an oasis for wildlife.
The most abundant habitat type in the Dene is scrubland, mainly Hawthorn with varying amounts of Blackthorn, Dog Rose and Gorse. In the spring this provides safe nesting sites for a variety of birds, whilst in the autumn and winter, the abundance of berries and rosehips are fed upon by large flocks of Blackbirds, Redwing, and Fieldfare.
| Amongst the scrub are areas of grassland, which become quite damp towards the valley bottom. Wildflowers such as Water Mint and Cuckoo Flower grow here, and in turn, these provide caterpillar food plants and nectar sources for a variety of butterflies. In the spring, the Orange-tip is abundant, particularly in the damper areas, as it searches for Cuckoo Flower on which to lay its eggs. |
Orange-tip on Cuckoo Flower
Photograph: Dave O'Brien © |
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White-letter Hairstreak
Photograph: Dave O'Brien © |
Hardwick Dene is an important site for the White-letter Hairstreak butterfly, which gets its name from a white line in the shape of the letter “w” on the underside of the hind wing. The caterpillars of this species feed upon elm trees, particularly those growing in hedgerows or at the woodland edge, where the tree-top is not overshadowed by other trees. |
| This dependence on elm meant that the butterfly disappeared from many sites where it was once common, as Dutch Elm Disease killed over 10 million trees in the 70s and 80s. The butterfly can be found from late June to early August, and is best seen with binoculars, as it basks on a leaf near the tree-top, or makes a short spiralling flight out from the tree and back again. |
| One especially important part of Hardwick Dene is the wildflower meadow south of the beck. Meadows such as this were once a common sight in the countryside, but many have been lost to housing, road building or agricultural improvements. This particular meadow has been identified as a fine example of its type, with over 90 plant species growing here, including Common Spotted Orchid, Devil’s-bit Scabious, Betony, and Ragged Robin. This abundance of grasses and flowers also means that butterflies are numerous here, with 22 different species being recorded in the meadow. |
The Wildflower meadow in Spring
Photograph: Dave O'Brien © |
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Separated from the Dene by Darlington Back Lane is Elm Tree Wood, a small triangular piece of mature, mixed-deciduous woodland. As befits its name, the wood contains a number of Elm trees, along with Oak, Ash, Alder, Sycamore and Cherry, with an understorey mainly composed of Hawthorn and Holly. At the southwestern edge of the wood there is an area of hawthorn scrub surrounding a small area of flower-rich grassland. In the spring, the woodland floor is coloured yellow by the flowers of Lesser Celandine, and occasional clumps of Ramsons, or Wild Garlic can be found. In the summer,the trees cast quite a dense shade, with occasional sunlit patches. In these areas, Speckled Wood butterflies may be seen basking on leaves. Birds are abundant throughout the wood. In spring, you may hear the drumming of the Great Spotted Woodpecker, or observe Blue and Great Tits investigating holes in trees to find a suitable nest site. In the autumn and winter, Goldfinch and Siskin can be seen feeding on Alder seeds, whilst flocks of Long-tailed Tits, often accompanied by Coal Tits and Goldcrest, flit through the trees looking for insects sheltering in bark crevices. Grey Wagtail may be seen foraging along the beck, and if you are very lucky, you may catch sight of a Kingfisher.
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Common-spotted Orchid
Speckled Wood
Photographs: Dave O'Brien ©
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| The grassland at the woodland edge supports wildflowers such as Agrimony, Bird’s-foot Trefoil and Marsh Orchids. Common Blue and Small Copper butterflies are seen in the summer, whilst Blackcap and Whitethroat nest in the Hawthorn scrub. | |
In the main part of the Dene, little active management is necessary, other than keeping the footpaths clear by cutting back overhanging scrub and strimming the vegetation to either side.
The meadow has previously been managed by grazing, and it is hoped to reinstate this in the near future. Grazing by horses creates a mosaic of long and short vegetation throughout the meadow, with different plant species flourishing in different areas.
In Elm Tree Wood, the main management operation involves thinning out some of the trees where they appear overcrowded. This allows the remaining trees to grow bigger and stronger, as there is less competition for light and nutrients. It also creates gaps in the canopy, allowing more light to reach the woodland floor and improving conditions for woodland flowers.
At the southwestern edge of the woodland, work is carried out to prevent encroachment of the scrub, which would shade out the grassland wildflowers.
All management work on the reserve is carried out during the winter to minimise disturbance to nesting birds or other wildlife.
Hardwick Dene can be accessed from Cornforth Close in Hardwick Estate, Stockton-on -Tees, Grid Ref. NZ419207. From here, surfaced footpaths lead into the Dene and Elm Tree Wood. Elm Tree Wood is also accessible from Darlington Back Lane at Grid Ref. NZ423203.
For further information about Hardwick Dene and Elm Tree Wood, contact the Trust on 01287 636382 or info@teeswildlife.org
