Complete ecological survey – as single document

SURVEY OF PELAW WOOD

The Friends of Pelaw Wood

District City of Durham
Grid Reference NZ 285424
O S Map No NZ 24 SE
Area 12.8 hectares
Altitude 40 to 85 metres
Land Use Public amenity
Adjacent Land Uses university college, housing, allotments and agriculture Owner Durham County Council General Description ancient woodland

Landscape Character

Pelaw Wood lies within the incised lowland valley of the River Wear. The lowlands of the River Wear occupy a broad area between the limestone escarpment in the east and the spurs of Pennine fringe ridges. The River Wear carves an incised meandering course between steep bluffs and river terraces and this corridor is well wooded.

Geology

Pelaw Wood is located east of Durham City on the eastern bank of the River Wear between Gilesgate and Old Durham. The land rises steeply initially, from about 40 m above Ordnance Datum alongside the river to 85 m above Ordnance Datum as it levels off in the east. Pelaw Wood Beck flows east to west in a steep sided valley forming the northern boundary of the wood.

The oldest sediments exposed around Durham are the middle coal measure strata of Carboniferous age – dating from about 300 million years ago. Thick sandstone above the Low Main seam forms the bedrock beneath much of Pelaw Wood. Durham Cathedral is built on the same sandstone. Abandoned mine workings are present in the 0.7 m thick Low Main seam beneath the eastern extremity of Pelaw Wood Beck. The eastern part of Pelaw Wood in general is also undermined in the Hutton seam, and these workings extend south to Old Durham where they are at a depth of 40 m. This seam, some 1.7 m thick and 28 m below the Low Main seam, was last worked from Old Durham Colliery in 1896. Coal seams of the Middle coal meaures can be seen at surface around Prebends Bridge and Kepier Woods in Durham.

A large period of geology time is not represented beneath Pelaw woods.
The Aeolian (wind-blown) desert Basal Permian sands and the Permian-Triassic magnesian limestone can be found east of Durham in the hills around Sherburn and pittington. Around the Centre of Durham however all sediments deposited above the Carboniferous were removed by erosions until the Pleistocene.

During the Pleistocene epoch – part of the Quaternary Period – that started about 1.8 million years ago and lasted until about 10,000 years ago, Northern Britain was affected by major climatic cycles of glaciations with temperate alternations. Probably during the most recent major glaciation a deep channel or valley immediately west of the wood was eroded that runs north to south – roughly along a line from Shincliffe Bridge to the Gilesgate roundabout, continuing northwards – with its base at about present day sea- level. Pelaw Wood lies on the eastern side of this valley that is now buried with glacial drift. The ice-sheet became stagnant and melted rapidly releasing large quantities of meltwater that deposited sands and gravels within the channel. Meltwater streams flowing under the melting ice also contributed to the erosion of the channel and the deposition of some of this material in the form of Eskers. These glacial drift deposits comprising gravelly sands and sandy gravels are exposed along the steep sided bank close to the River Wear in Pelaw Wood and also along the southern bank of Pelaw Wood Beck.

The glacial sand and gravel is overlain by till or stony clay and this is preserved on the higher ground in the east of the wood.

Finer grained material was deposited with increasing distance from the wasting lobes of ice and this resulted in an accumulation of laminated clay that extends northwards through the City and is present in the extreme west of Pelaw Wood at the footbridge over the beck. Laminated clay is weak and can fail where present on slopes especially when water logged. resulting in landslips. A substantial landslip is evident between the River Wear and St Bede and St Hild College.

Recent River Wear and Old Durham Beck alluvium forms the lower lying level ground in the south of the wood to the north of Old Durham, where former higher river terraces are also present.

Archaeology

Name: Pellow 1420, Pella 1733, Pelloe 1776, Pellow 1838. Pelaw is of uncertain meaning. Possibly a hill or hill-spur. Old English hlaw is a hill and hoh is a hill-spur. Middle English pele is a shovel-shaped piece of land or a watchtower.

History

Pelaw Wood was part of the manor or estate of Old Durham. In 1268 this was glebe belonging to the Rectory of St Nicholas, when permission to build an oratory at Old Durham was granted by the Prior of Durham. In 1443 Bishop Neville appropriated the estate to Kepier Hospital. Kepier Hospital and its chapel St Giles’ Church had been founded by Bishop Flambard in 1112. In 1479 Ralph Booth, Master of Kepier Hospital and nephew of Bishop Lawrence Booth, granted a lease of Old Durham for 99 years to his brother Richard but he reserved the timber of Pelaw Wood.

The Valor Ecclesiasticus 1535 shows among the assets of Kepier Hospital “the lands and tenements pertaining to the manor of Old Durham at farm to Richard Booth esquire per annum – £10”. The net annual value of Kepier Hospital was shown as £167 2s 11d. In 1545 the possessions of Kepier Hospital were surrendered to the crown by the last Master, William Frankleyn. Henry VIII granted the property to Sir William Paget, but upon his attainder it reverted to the crown. In 1552 Edward VI granted the property to John Cockburne, Lord of Ormiston. He sold the property in 1569 to John Heath, Warder of the Fleet.

Although in 1578 the lease to the Booths fell in, Robert Booth continued to live at Old Durham until he died in 1592; his will and inventory described the chambers and hall of a modest medieval manor.

John Heath died in 1591 and his tomb is in St Giles’ Church; he was succeeded by his son John Heath II, who was succeeded in 1618 by his son John Heath III. The latter’s brother Thomas succeeded. An Indenture of Settlement dated 18th January 1629 secured a jointure for Dorothea Heath, wife of Thomas Heath on several manors including Old Durham. She died in 1642 and was buried at St Giles’ Church. In 1630 Thomas Heath sold Kepier to Ralph Cole of Gateshead but retaining Old Durham. Old Durham was

settled on Thomas’s son John Heath IV and his wife Margaret. They resided at first in North Bailey but were established at Old Durham in 1648. John Heath IV built the mansion and gardens at Old Durham in the period 1640-1660. He died in 1665.

In 1642 Elizabeth Heath, only daughter and heir of John Heath IV married John Tempest of the Isle (died 1697) at St Giles’ Church and they lived at Old Durham. Their son William died in 1700. His son John Tempest II moved to Ramside in 1719.

John Tempest II had judgment for debt entered against him and as a result of this the Sheriff of Durham conducted an Inquisition into his properties and their value, dated 19th May 1733. Among these was the estate of Old Durham whose net annual income was £300 and the undertenant was John Huberthorne. The fields were individually named and their area given including the “close there called Pella Wood containing by estimation thirty nine acres of arable ground and pasture.” In addition “the Orchard, the Garden and the Batts” were given as seven acres.

John Tempest married Jane Wharton, heir of Richard Wharton of Durham, and died in 1738. Their son John Tempest married Frances Shuttleworth in 1738 and the marriage settlement included the estate of Old Durham. John Tempest purchased Wynyard in 1742. His son died in 1794 and the entire inheritance passed to Frances Tempest, wife of Sir Henry Vane. Their daughter Frances Anne Vane Tempest was an heiress with an annual income of £60,000. She married the 3rd Marquis of Londonderry. The property became part of the Vane Tempest Settled Estate.

A plan of Old Durham Estate belonging to John Tempest in the Parish of Elvet dated 23rd September 1776 shows Pelloe Wood as pasture containing of 16 acres 2 roods 34 perches of wood, and 9 acres 2 roods of clear pasture [The Glades]. Hill Field of 14 acres 1 rood 28 perches of meadow comprises the Rabbit Banks and the football field. Crow Orchard, 6 acres 3 roods 28 perches of meadow, comprises the Old Hockey Ground and the small field to its east. Part of the area by the River Wear called the Batts is a field of 3 acres 2 roods [Bottom Field] whose use is not specified but was probably meadow. Pelaw Wood House is shown but not the mansion house of Old Durham which had been demolished. The undertenant of these fields was a Mr Richardson except for the Bottom Field which was occupied by a Mr Holme. The 1776 plan also shows a ford through the River Wear (close to the later railway bridge) connecting Green Lane with a bridle road to Old Durham and Pelaw Wood House.

Greenwood’s map of 1820 shows Pelaw Wood House with a track connecting it to Sherburn Road.

The Tithe Map and Book of 1838 for St Oswald’s Parish, Elvet Township, includes the description of the following fields:

Field no 241 “Pellow Wood 17 acres 2 roods 11 perches – wood” [The main wood including Elm Bank]

Field no 242
Field no 247
Field no 248
Field no 249
and the small field to the east]
Field nos 251 & 253 “The Batts 4 acres 1 rood 4 perches – grass” [Bottom Field]

“Wood Field 7 acres 2 roods 6 perches – arable” [The Glades]
“Pelaw Wood House 1 rood 25 perches”
“Well Field 6 acres 3 roods 27 perches – grass” [Rabbit Banks]
“Crow Orchard 6 acres 2 roods 32 perches – arable” [Old Hockey Ground

The main wood of 13 acres, 1 rood and 27 perches was conveyed for the sum of £550 by the Trustees to the 7th Marquis on 6th June 1918 who (by Conveyance dated 1st August 1918) presented it to Durham City Council on 15th August 1918 in memory of his father the 6th Marquis who was Mayor of Durham in 1910-1911. Also in 1918 Lord Londonderry sold the parts of the Wood which we call the Glades and Elm Bank to Victor Mazzini Walton (an artist from Scarborough) together with the Pine Apple Inn and Old Durham Gardens for £1625. In the Conveyance dated 4th July 1918 the Glades are shown as a pasture field of 7.071 acres and Elm Bank as part of Pelaw Wood comprising 2.02 acres.

In 1949 Mr Walton sold the whole property for £4000 to Adam and Margaret Black who sold it for the same sum to St Hild’s College in 1964. In 1946 William Hopps conveyed a field (the western half of Crow Orchard) to St Hild’s College which was made into a hockey ground. The conveyance included the right to lay a six inch drain from the north- west corner of the land to the River Wear. In 1984 the old hockey ground was transferred by the Durham Diocesan Board of Finance to Richard Hopps.

In the Londonderry archive at the County Record Office (D/Lo/F661) is a photograph of twin brick piers (now no longer extant) forming part of the small bridge over Pelaw Wood Beck as it enters the River Wear, guarding the entrance to the Wood. Each pier bears an inscription. The right hand pier records the River Wall constructed by the City of Durham in 1938. The left hand pier has a separate closer photograph. The inscription reads: “The Pelaw Woods were presented to the City of Durham on 15th August 1918 by ..the 7th Marquis of Londonderry in memory of his father ..the 6th Marquis of Londonderry, Mayor of Durham 1910-1911”

The Silverlink footbridge was opened on 12 April 1938. Constructed by the Cleveland Bridge Company of Darlington, the cost of the steel work being £805. Designed by Mr J.W.Green, City Surveyor and Engineer, it was based on one which spans the Zambezi River.

The woods have been used by the public from at least the early 18th Century.

Birds recorded

Wren Robin Blackbird Great Tit Blue Tit Chiff-chaff Blackcap Chaffinch

Kingfisher Tawny Owl Mute Swan Mallard

On the Rabbit Banks: Linnet Yellowhammer Willow Warbler

At Old Durham:

Tawny Owl Swallow Kestrel Sparrowhawk Goldfinch Greenfinch Bullfinch Dunnock
Tree Sparrow House Sparrow Starling

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

Blackbird
Song Thrush
Skylark
Tree Creeper
Nuthatch
Greater Spotted Woodpecker
Long-tailed Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Coal Tit
Pied Wagtail
Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Jay
Mallard
Moorhen
Pheasant
Woodcock
Grey Partridge
Common Gull
Wren
Robin
Swift
Swallow
House martin
Sand martin (at sandy bank at the site of the former Old Durham Colliery) Curlew
Oystercatcher

Mammals Recorded

At Old Durham:

Badger
Bank Vole Common Shrew Weasel
Rabbit
Brown Rat Field Mouse Mole
Fox

Grey Squirrel

Moths Recorded

Location
Date
Time
Weather conditions Recorder

Wild flower meadow at Old Durham
4th September 2012
9 to 10.30 pm
Light wind, thin high cloud, 12 C
Dave Wainwright (Butterfly Conservation)

Species observed
Svenson’s Copper Underwing

Canary Shouldered Thorn Square Spot Rustic
Large Yellow Underwing Lesser Yellow Underwing Red Green Carpet

Centre Barred Sallow Small Rivulet
Common Marbled Carpet Dark Arches

Plain Golden Y

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY COMPARTMENTS

D Pelaw Wood Beck Dene
G Glades on bank top
U Upper wood between the glades and the “new” middle path
L Lower river bank wood between the “new” middle path and the riverside R Rabbit Banks
H Old hockey field
E Elm bank between the old hockey field and the Batts
B The Batts – the bottom field below Old Durham Gardens
[W Waste land next to Laurel Avenue School]

Date
Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

7th March 2004

Anthony Ewin

Pelaw Wood Beck Dene

Deep steep-sided ravine opening out at each end

The dene runs roughly east to west and is densely shaded by trees.

A dark wood richly vegetated with swathes of wood anemones and bluebells. The eastern part is more open with marshy areas.

Features Pelaw Wood Beck runs along the bottom of the dene from west to east.
The source of the Beck is a drain outflow at the eastern end. The Beck has very little flow except after heavy rain. The Beck starts as the outflow of a drain which comes underground from the Moorlands and Musgrave Gardens. Alongside the Beck is a drainpipe encased in concrete. The north side of the dene would have been identical in shape to the south side; however between the 1870s to the 1920s this side was used as an ash tip for the city and later the east side of the bridge was used by Wood & Watson’s Mineral Water Works as a tip for their broken bottles.

The Silverlink footbridge spans the dene. This bridge was opened on 12 April 1938. Constructed by the Cleveland Bridge Company of Darlington, the cost of the steel work being £805. Designed by Mr J.W.Green, City Surveyor and Engineer, it was based on one which spans the Zambezi River.

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

Deep leaf mould

Oak (Quercus robur)
Beech (Fagus sylvactica)
Silver birch (Betula pendula) Elm (Ulmus procera)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) White willow (Salix alba)
Crack willow (Salix fragilis)

Other Plants

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Blackthorn (Prunus
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)

Yew (Taxus baccata)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium) Privet (Ligustrum vulgare) Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) Ivy (Hedera helix)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)

Bluebell (Endymion non-scriptus)
Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa)
Wood avens (Geum urbanum)
Ransons (Allium ursinum)
Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) Red campion (Silene dioica)
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium) Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera)

Wood millet (Milium effusum)
Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa) Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)
Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus)
Soft rush (Juncus effusus)

Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)

Sphagnum mosses in the marshy areas On the bark of some trees

Grasses

Ferns

Mosses Lichens Fungi

Invertebrates
Mammals Mole (Talpa europaea) Birds

How could the area be improved? There is much rubbish in the ravine and in the Beck which needs to be cleared regularly. The Beck could be dammed near its outfall into the River Wear in order to create a pond and wetland for wildlife.

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

Date 18th April 2004 Surveyors Richard Lilly and family

Compartment Glades on Bank Top

Topography Aspect

General Description

A ridge with ground falling away both sides more steeply to the South but flattening into an open grassed area.

Mixed open grassy area with low trees and shrubs on North facing slope, East/West running ridge with more heavily wooded steeper South facing slope flattening out into open grassy area.

Opening out from the South end of the Silverlink bridge, it encompasses the main way in to the wood from the North side. The smaller North facing slope up to the ridge is criss-crossed by several paths, some quite slippery, leading both East and West eventually out of the woods both ends, and also down the South slope of the ridge to enter into the main woodland. One main site in the lightly wooded area at the edge of the grassed clearing is used by presumably young people for drinking parties as evidenced by the large numbers of lager cans and bottles always present. There is also evidence of fires and lately, trees damaged by saws to provide more fuel for the fires. The open areas are significantly reduced in high summer by massed growth of willow herb, Himalayan balsam and umbellifers. At the Eastern edge of the glades, the wood becomes an area of undergrowth , difficult to penetrate, with many brambles and low trees. There is no clear path into the wood from Rabbit banks except right at the top where it opens onto the common land above Rabbit banks, but it is possible to enter at various places and there is one area widely used for drinking parties with again extensive evidence of fires and burnt out trailers and supermarket trolleys.

The flattened grassed area is the main recreational area in the middle of the wood with an open and pleasant aspect. The North edge of the Glades forms the continuation of the main footpath up from the river bank to the

Features

Silverlink bridge and provides an alternative pedestrian route from the Elvet side of the city to Gilesgate which does not involve any roads. There is evidence of ridge and furrow in the open grassed areas.

Soil Not ascertained

Trees/shrubs Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Beech (Fagus sylvatica) Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Field maple (Acer campestra Hawthorne (Crataegus monogyna) Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Larch (Larix deciduas)

Oak (Quercus robur)
Silver Birch (Betula pendula) Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatinus) Yew (Taxus baccata)

Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) Ivy (Hedera helix)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

Plants Bluebell (Endymion non-scriptus) Buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) Colts-foot (Tussilago farfara) Dandelion (Taraxacum officianale) Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Fools parsley (Arthrusa cynapium)
Garlic (Allium ursinum)
Great wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica) Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Red Campion (Silene dioica)

Rosebay willowherb (Chamaerion angustifolium) Stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) Stickywich/goosegrass (Galium aparine) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Marsh horsetail (Equisetum palustre)

Grasses present – unidentified
Ferns present – unidentified
Mosses present – unidentified
Lichens present – unidentified
Animals Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Birds

Residents

Blackbird (Turdus merula) Blue tit (Parus caerulaeus) Chaffinch(Fringilla coelebs) Common crow (Corvus corona) Great tit (Parus major)

Green woodpecker) (Picus viridus) Jay (Garrulus glandarius)
Long tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) Magpie (Pica pica)

Marsh tit (parus palustris) Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Robin (Erythacus rubecula) Wren (T. troglodytes)

Summer visitors

Chiff chaff (Phylloscopus collybita) Willow warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

How could the area be improved?

Ongoing litter clearing and prevention program

  • –  possibly by placing litter bins at known heavy litter areas withrota for emptying to council skip at north end of silverlinkbridge
  • –  protected planting of thorn shrub (gorse/rosa rugosa) barrierwith narrow opening at top of rabbit banks to prevent accessto woods for supermarket trolleys and trailers
    Active provision of site for recreational use in area currently used for destructive fires/drinking sessions. BBQ areas, rough seating (logs), selective tree clearance. This is based on premise that enjoyment of the wood should be inclusive and not exclusive, and that as it will be almost impossible to prevent drinking sessions in the wood, better to try to “legalise” and thus have more control than stamp it out altogether.

Improve surface of path leading West from Silverlink bridge so that it can be usable link in all weathers from Gilesgate to the riverbank. The gradient is not steep, and it would mainly require lateral supports for the surface material on the path.

Insert steps on the path leading East from Silverlink bridge. Currently quite difficult to walk along whenever there is any rain, due to mud and slope of path both down and sideways.
Eventually, steps on path down south side of ridge to the open grassed area. This would open up the walk from Silverlink bridge south east to the junction of Rabbit banks and Elm bank and on to either Old Durham or the round walk via the river bank or middle path. Currently that area of the Glades can feel a bit threatening, partly due to the difficulty of access to all but the sure-footed!

Maintenance of this open area by prevention of encroachment of plants, particularly Himalayan Balsam.

Date Surveyors

Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

25th January 2004, 10th May 2004

Peter Thompson, Alison Wood and Martin Dancey Val Standen, Tuzi Butterfield and Anthony Ewin

Upper Wood between the glades and the “new” middle path

Steep bank, slopes and level woodland
A south and south-west facing slope shaded by trees

Mixed woodland and shrubs; beech, mature and sapling, and oak predominate in some areas, some individual species, large areas of bramble, lot of dead and damaged trees. Public and other paths, some wear from play, bikes. Some trees damaged by fires; other dead trees lying and standing. Signs of horse riding. Quad bike seen – it retreated when the rider saw the clipboard! Car remains at south-east corner, old chair midway.

“New” middle path is the lower boundary, two paths form part of top boundary with top of steep slopes. Central area is a wooded glade.

Sandy

Oak (Quercus robur)
Turkey Oak ( Quercus cerris) Beech (Fagus sylvactica)
Silver birch (Betula pendula)
Elm (Ulmus procera)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Yew (Taxus baccata)

Other Plants

Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius)
Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)(single small specimen) Dog rose (Rosa canina)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius)
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)

Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia) Wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) Common violet (Viola riviniana) Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

Herb bennet (Geum urbanum)
Herb robert (Geranium robertianum)
Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea)
Hawkweed (Hieracium sp)
Nipplewort (Lapsana communis)
Pignut (Conopodium majus)
Common Burdock (Artium pubens)
Wild licorice (Astragalus glycyphyllos) (one plant 10th May 2004)

Wavy hair grass (Deschampsia flexuosa) Wood melick (Melica uniflora)
Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus)
Great wood-rush (Luzula sylvatica)

Broad buckler fern (Dryopteris dilatata) Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

Present
On the bark of some trees On dead trees

White lipped snail Small wood louse

Grasses

Ferns

Mosses Lichens Fungi Invertebrates

Mammals Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Fox (Vulpa vulpa)

Birds Long tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) Tree creeper (Certhia familiaris)

Blackbird (Turdus merula)

How could the area be improved? Remove old chair and car and litter. Steps on “new” middle path needed and shrub stumps are trip hazards. A firmer surface is needed on the path at the southern end; it has been eroded by motorbikes. Selective undergrowth clearance is needed and encouragement of woodland plants.

Date
Surveyors Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

16 April 2004

Joyce Schlesinger

Lower Wood between the riverbank and the “new” middle path

Steep slope

A south and south-west facing slope shaded by trees

Mixed woodland with many oaks

The River Wear runs alongside, protected by metal railings. The cycle path runs parallel and close to the river.

Sandy

Oak (Quercus robur)
Beech (Fagus sylvactica)
Silver birch (Betula pendula)
Elm (Ulmus procera)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
Yew (Taxus baccata)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Arrow-leaved ivy (Hedera helix sagittifolia) Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum) Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)

Bluebell (Endymion non-scriptus) Wood anemone (Anemone nemorosa) Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)

Other Plants

Violet (Viola rivoniana)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Red campion (Silene dioica)
Greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) Sweet woodruff (Galium odoratum)

Grasses Wood melick (Melica uniflora) Wood millet (Milium effusum)

Ferns Present
Mosses Present
Lichens On the bark of some trees Fungi
Invertebrates
Mammals

Birds Blackbird (Turdus merula) Common gull (Larus canus)

Crow (Corvus corone corone) Tawny owl (Strix aluco)

How could the area be improved?

Date
Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

7th March 2004, 10th May 2004
Anthony Ewin, Val Standen, Tuzi Butterfield

Rabbit Banks
Steep hillside
South facing

An open heath like hillside forming the top of the incised valley of the River Wear with gorse and broom and fine grasses and some trees. There is a plantation of trees on the crest of the hillside and another below.

Footpaths down the hillside, some badly eroded by motorcycle use. The western boundary is a ditch and bank of some antiquity now overgrown with trees.

Sandy, somewhat acid

Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Oak (Quercus robur)
Silver birch (Betula pendula)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Crack willow (Salix fragilis)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
In the plantation at the top of the bank: Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
White willow (Salix alba)
White poplar (Populus alba)

Other Plants

Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)

Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium) Sheep’s sorrel (Rumex acetosella) Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Heath bedstraw (Galium saxatile) Tormentil (Potentilla erecta)

Daisy (Bellis perennis)
Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) Bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus)

Bents (Agrostis spp)
Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)
Tufted hair grass (Deschampsia caespitosa) Field wood-rush (Luzula campestris)

Absent

St Mark’s fly (Bibio markii) (10 May 2004)

Linnet Yellowhammer Willow Warbler Bullfinch

Grasses

Ferns
Mosses
Lichens
Fungi Invertebrates Mammals
Birds 7 May 2005

How could the area be improved? More tree planting could be undertaken in blocks where the vegetation is not interesting whilst leaving the heath-like vegetation intact. The prevention of access by motorcyclists would enable the badly eroded tracks to be re- vegetated. Securely fenced blocks of tree planting across the line of the tracks might be effective.

Date

Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

27th April 2004
Anthony Ewin
Old Hockey Field
Level, with a bank above it to the east a bank below it to the west Open

A perfectly level rectangular field surrounded by trees. There are plantations of trees on the eastern bank and to the south. The dominant vegetation is still a mixture of grasses but coarse grasses and thistles are widespread and Himalayan balsam is invading from the north.

This was formerly the hockey ground of St Hild’s College. The engineered landform is apparent. On the banks to the east and west there are some ancient apple trees which are perhaps the remnant of an orchard that pre-dated the hockey ground.

Clay

Apple (Malus domestica) Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Oak (Quercus robur)
Cherry (Prunus avium)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) Gorse (Ulex europaeus)
Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius) In the plantations:
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus

Other Plants

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Oak (Quercus robur)
Beech (Fagus sylvatica)

Bird cherry (Prunus padus)
Whitebeam (Sorbus aria)
Broad-leaved lime (Tilia platyphyllos) Apple (Malus domestica) – but much older In the flat hockey field:

Oak (Quercus robur)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Alder (Alnus glutinosa)
Aspen (Populus tremula)
Silver birch (Betula pendula) Walnut (Juglans regia)
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Broom (Sarothamnus scoparius)

Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense)
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Red campion (Silene dioica)
Wood avens (Geum urbanum)
Lesser stitchwort (Stellaria graminea)
Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium) Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)

Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) Meadow buttercup (Ranunculus acris) Knapweed (Centaurea nigra) Stickywitch (Galium aparine)

White dead nettle (Lamium album) Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium)
Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris)
Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)
Ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) Broad-leaved willow herb (Epilobium montanum) Common mouse-ear (Cerastium fontanum) Hawkweed (Hieracium sp)

Grasses Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus) Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)

Fescues (Festuca spp)
Ferns Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Mosses Abundant in the eastern bank

Lichens Profuse on the bark of the old apple trees Fungi Pale yellow parasols on horse droppings Invertebrates
Mammals Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Mole (Talpa europaea)

Birds
How could the area be improved? Trees could be planted in the field. An attempt

could be made to control the Himalayan balsam.

Extensive tree planting was undertaken in 2006 but leaving the central part of the field open. 300 ash, aspen and alder were planted in February 2006 and 100 oak were planted in November 2006. The ash trees were protected by tree shelters against damage by deer. The other trees were protected with rabbit spirals. Mulch mats were placed around many trees. In January 2010, 30 white willow were planted in the hockey field and 70 were planted in the area immediately to the west of the hockey field.

Date
Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

4th January 2004 Anthony

Ewin Elm Bank
Steep bank

A west facing slope shaded by trees

A decaying wood mostly composed of diseased elms which regenerate for a time and then die with many mossy stumps; much bramble but Himalayan balsam is invading parts.

One footpath follows the top of the bank and is joined by another footpath which leads in the direction of the riverbank.

Glacial sand and gravel

Elm (Ulmus procera)
Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) – a number of mature trees clad with ivy
Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)
Oak (Quercus robur)
Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus)
Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)
Buddleja globosa – a garden throw-out

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Red campion (Silene dioica)
Wood avens (Geum urbanum)
Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium)

Other Plants

Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Wild garlic (Allium ursinum)
Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) Herb robert (Geranium robertianum) Stickywitch (Galium aparine)

White dead nettle (Lamium album) Primrose (Primula vulgaris)
Bluebell (Endymion non-scriptus) Lords and Ladies (Arum maculatum) Lesser celandine (Ranunculus ficaria) Dock (Rumex obtusifolius)

Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Hedge woundwort (Stachys sylvatica) Jack-by-the-hedge (Alliaria petiolata) Hop (Humulus lupulus)

Stinking hellebore (Helleborus foetidus) Hemp agrimony (Eupatorium cannibinum)

Grasses Present
Ferns Male fern (Dryopteris filix-mas)

Lady fern (Athyrium filix-femina) Mosses Abundant

Lichens On the bark of some trees

Fungi Coral spot fungus on dead tree trunk

Invertebrates

Mammals Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Mole (Talpa europaea)

Birds

How could the area be improved? The rubble tipped below Pine Apple House could be removed. An attempt could be made to control the Himalayan balsam. Trees could be planted on the bank to replace the elms.

The steep, slippery footpath on the northern side has been improved by FoPW by putting in substantial steps and surfacing the path as well as other paths.

Date
Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description

Features

Soil
Trees and Shrubs

PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

4th January 2004 Anthony Ewin

The Batts
Flat field

Open aspect sheltered by a bank to the east.

Part of the flood plain of the River Wear(flooded in 2000 and 2009), it has been under cultivation in the past but has now been taken over by coarse weeds and grasses. There is a plantation of trees (planted circa 1990) parallel with and close to the riverbank.

Old Durham Beck and the River Wear form the western boundary. It is bisected by a cycle track and there is a footpath loop along the riverbank leading to the Kingfisher Bridge over Old Durham Beck.

Alluvial

Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus) Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Elder (Sambucus nigra)
Crack willow (Salix fragilis)

Elm (Ulmus procera)
Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Holly (Ilex aquifolium)
Ivy (Hedera helix)
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus) In the riverside plantation: Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) Oak (Quercus robur)
Alder (Alnus glutinosa) Willow (Salix)

Other Plants

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Hazel (Corylus avellana) Guelder rose (Viburnum opulus) Dog rose (Rosa canina)

Creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense) Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens) Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium) Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)
Cow parsley (Anthriscus sylvestris) Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica)
Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium) Himalayan balsam (Impatiens glandulifera) Dog’s mercury (Mercurialis perennis) Burdock (Arctium pubens)
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)
Sweet cicely (Myrrhis odorata)
Stickywitch (Galium aparine)
Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)
Blue sow thistle (Cicerbita macrophylla)

Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata)
Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea) Soft rush (Juncus effusus)

Present

Mole (Talpa europaea)

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) Mallard (Ansas platyrhynchos)

Grasses

Ferns Mosses Lichens Fungi Invertebrates Mammals Birds

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (November 2003 and November 2008))

How could the area be improved? More tree planting could be undertaken which would have effect of eventually suppressing the coarse weeds in their vicinity. In about 1988 the City Council had plans to form a lake and wetland on the opposite side of the field to the river. A wetland would be an asset for wildlife but whether it is feasible is highly questionable.

Date
Surveyor Compartment Topography
Aspect
General description Features
Soil
Trees and Shrubs

Other Plants

Grasses Ferns Mosses Lichens Fungi Invertebrates Mammals Birds

[ PELAW WOOD ECOLOGICAL SURVEY

7th March 2004

Anthony Ewin

Waste land next to Laurel Avenue School

Slightly sloping towards the west

Open

A bare, uncared for area lacking trees or any vegetation of interest

Footpaths cross the area

Not ascertained

Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Broad-leaved dock (Rumex obtusifolius) Rose bay (Chamaerion angustifolium) Creeping buttercup (Ranunculus repens)

Coarse grasses None
Absent
Absent

Absent

How could the area be improved? Litter needs to be removed. A playground could be constructed on the part nearest to the road.
In 2008 a scheme for a Nature Park was drawn up by Groundwork West Durham and Darlington at a project cost of £127,500. ]

Comments are closed.