About the reserve

Much of the Dene supports valuable scrubland, mainly hawthorn but with varying amounts of blackthorn, dog rose and gorse. Consequently, it provides safe nesting sites in spring for a variety of birds. Autumn and winter sees abundant berries and rosehips feeding large flocks of blackbirds, redwing, and fieldfare, for example.

Amongst the scrub lie areas of grassland, which become quite damp towards the valley bottom. This results in wildflowers such as water mint and cuckoo flower growing here. 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, where it searches for cuckoo flower on which to lay its eggs.

The 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.

Dutch elm disease killed over 10 million elm trees in the 70’s and 80’s, causing the white-letter hairstreak to disappear from many sites where it was once common. The hairstreak, visible from late June to early August, is best viewed with binoculars as it basks on leaves near the tree-top, or makes a short spiralling flight out from the tree and back again.

Another special feature of this nature reserve is a wildflower meadow south of Hardwick 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. Species include common spotted orchid, devil’s-bit scabious, betony, and ragged robin. As a result of the abundance of grasses and flowers, butterflies are numerous here, with 22 different species being recorded in the meadow alone.

Elm Tree Wood

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. There are also oak, ash, alder, sycamore and cherry, with an understory of hawthorn and holly. In the spring, the woodland floor is coloured yellow by the flowers of lesser celandine, and occasional clumps of wild garlic.