Atlasing in the High Weald
6th December 2008, Saturday
The RX area comprises not only a stretch of coast and marshes but is linked through its river valleys to a varied Wealden hinterland, a characteristic landscape of irregular fields, tall hedges and ancient woodlands, winding drove roads and typical vernacular architecture.
TQ 61 Y, near Penhurst is centred on a stream valley dominated by the industrial remains of an iron furnace which ceased production in 1813: huge earthen dams now breached but for the biggest which discharges its water through the skilful brickwork of a curved Victorian culvert. What were once hammer ponds are now either drained or silted, the valley floor occupied by boggy areas of willow and alder, contrasting with the well-managed beech and conifer plantations on the slopes.
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Between the woods are ancient wildflower meadows, preserved from destructive improvements such as ploughing and spraying which have sealed the fate of the majority. At this time of year, their nature is revealed by the rough texture of the grass and the wiry remains of knapweed, but in summer they display an amazing range of plants which support all kinds of insects and in the past provided medicines and dyes.
Keith Datchler, the estate manager has devised a machine for harvesting seeds from these meadows which can then be used to regenerate plant communities in other parts of the Weald. Last year, he received the Future of Farming award from Natural England for his many years of championing this historic countryside.
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Once again, in a 2-hour Timed Tetrad Visit for the BTO National Bird Atlas, I found few birds in the woods, most being concentrated along the lanes where they commuted from garden to garden in search of feeders.
There seem to be plenty of Blackbirds around at the moment, though Birdtrack records in the earlier part of the autumn suggested that numbers were low, and Chaffinches are ubiquitous in ones and twos. Woodpigeons seem to be largely absent from woods – no doubt they’re out feeding on crops somewhere, returning to the woods at dusk.
