Discovering Calderdale's Wildlife
By Richard Dalby
We are truly lucky to live in a beautiful area filled with hills, rivers, waterfalls, canals and woodlands and most of us are within a short walking distance of these landscapes. What we might not realise so readily is that our countryside is also home to a surprising array of wildlife. Take a path off the main roads and up into the woods, or walk beside a river, and you enter a whole new kingdom. A simple stroll can be transformed into something magical when we encounter wildlife and it always feels a great privilege to witness. I hope this feature can illustrate just some of the wildlife we can find quite easily on our doorstep. Children absolutely adore animals; from feeding the ducks, to hugging a beloved pet or chasing the pigeons around the park (oh those poor, long-suffering pigeons!). Yet, as nature expert and broadcaster Chris Packham said; “The rarest sight in the countryside isn’t a lapwing or a skylark – it’s a child.”
One of my favourite places to discover interesting wildlife is along the riverbanks in and around Hebden Bridge. Elegant, graceful herons glide over the town or fish the waters, whilst the fabulous white-bibbed dippers plunge into fast flowing streams in search of food. Dippers sometimes swallow small stones so they can stay underwater longer and a great game is trying to guess where they'll emerge after a dive. If you're lucky you might even spot a kingfisher darting over the water in a flash of gold and blue. On the edge of the woods, woodpeckers, jays and fidgety tree-creepers can be found, alongside the more common wrens, blackbirds, magpies and robins. Make sure you take time to listen to the birds singing; they might in truth be fighting over territory and proving how strong and tough they are to their rivals but, still, it sounds overwhelmingly beautiful.
My own personal favourite animals are deer and I frequently glimpse them in the mornings when out walking the dog. At other times they can be as elusive as baby unicorns. For a great family day out there are some wonderful places where you can get up close to deer. Try nearby National Trust properties such as Lyme Park, Dunham Massey and Tatton Park, all just an hour or so drive away. But nothing quite beats the elation of spotting deer in the wild so, when you're walking through the woods, keep your eyes peeled. If you are lucky enough to see deer, stay as still and quiet as you can, as they will often find you just as fascinating, and may pause to check youout!
Up on the moors, in areas such as the Bridestones above Todmorden, you can spot lapwings (sadly now a rare sight in many parts of the UK), kestrels hovering above the fields in search of prey or curlews with their long swooping bills and evocative mournful call. Each localised habitat has it's particular wildlife and there's always more to discover and learn throughout the year.
Back down in the valleys, our rivers, once heavily polluted by industry, now boast a healthy stock of brown trout and otters have also been recently spotted on the upper reaches of the River Calder. The almost reptilian looking cormorant, more usually associated with the coast and estuaries, can also be found inland in Calderdale. Early evening is a good time to hear owls hooting or the shrill barking of foxes. And don't forget to seek out the lowly caterpillars and butterflies, beetles and earwigs, spiders and all manner of creepy crawlies. Nature is an endless supply of wonder.
A pair of binoculars comes in handy when out and about and it's possible to take fantastic nature photos on your camera phone. Of course, respect the natural environment and try not to make too much noise, and you'll certainly be rewarded. Happy wildlife spotting!
We are truly lucky to live in a beautiful area filled with hills, rivers, waterfalls, canals and woodlands and most of us are within a short walking distance of these landscapes. What we might not realise so readily is that our countryside is also home to a surprising array of wildlife. Take a path off the main roads and up into the woods, or walk beside a river, and you enter a whole new kingdom. A simple stroll can be transformed into something magical when we encounter wildlife and it always feels a great privilege to witness. I hope this feature can illustrate just some of the wildlife we can find quite easily on our doorstep. Children absolutely adore animals; from feeding the ducks, to hugging a beloved pet or chasing the pigeons around the park (oh those poor, long-suffering pigeons!). Yet, as nature expert and broadcaster Chris Packham said; “The rarest sight in the countryside isn’t a lapwing or a skylark – it’s a child.”
One of my favourite places to discover interesting wildlife is along the riverbanks in and around Hebden Bridge. Elegant, graceful herons glide over the town or fish the waters, whilst the fabulous white-bibbed dippers plunge into fast flowing streams in search of food. Dippers sometimes swallow small stones so they can stay underwater longer and a great game is trying to guess where they'll emerge after a dive. If you're lucky you might even spot a kingfisher darting over the water in a flash of gold and blue. On the edge of the woods, woodpeckers, jays and fidgety tree-creepers can be found, alongside the more common wrens, blackbirds, magpies and robins. Make sure you take time to listen to the birds singing; they might in truth be fighting over territory and proving how strong and tough they are to their rivals but, still, it sounds overwhelmingly beautiful.
My own personal favourite animals are deer and I frequently glimpse them in the mornings when out walking the dog. At other times they can be as elusive as baby unicorns. For a great family day out there are some wonderful places where you can get up close to deer. Try nearby National Trust properties such as Lyme Park, Dunham Massey and Tatton Park, all just an hour or so drive away. But nothing quite beats the elation of spotting deer in the wild so, when you're walking through the woods, keep your eyes peeled. If you are lucky enough to see deer, stay as still and quiet as you can, as they will often find you just as fascinating, and may pause to check youout!
Up on the moors, in areas such as the Bridestones above Todmorden, you can spot lapwings (sadly now a rare sight in many parts of the UK), kestrels hovering above the fields in search of prey or curlews with their long swooping bills and evocative mournful call. Each localised habitat has it's particular wildlife and there's always more to discover and learn throughout the year.
Back down in the valleys, our rivers, once heavily polluted by industry, now boast a healthy stock of brown trout and otters have also been recently spotted on the upper reaches of the River Calder. The almost reptilian looking cormorant, more usually associated with the coast and estuaries, can also be found inland in Calderdale. Early evening is a good time to hear owls hooting or the shrill barking of foxes. And don't forget to seek out the lowly caterpillars and butterflies, beetles and earwigs, spiders and all manner of creepy crawlies. Nature is an endless supply of wonder.
A pair of binoculars comes in handy when out and about and it's possible to take fantastic nature photos on your camera phone. Of course, respect the natural environment and try not to make too much noise, and you'll certainly be rewarded. Happy wildlife spotting!