Walking the Ouse Burn Part 3: ‘Kingfishers and Cave Spiders’

I was really excited for this instalment of ‘Walking the Ouse Burn’. Jesmond Dene in particular holds many fond childhood memories for me, and since moving back to the North East, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the rich biodiversity supported by this relic of ancient woodland – a true urban gem!

What a view!

A Frosty Start

We began our walk at Paddy Freeman’s Park on a crisp, frosty day. Snow dusted the ground, and intricate ice crystals adorned the fallen leaves. Before even leaving the car park, we observed a large clump of frozen Velvet Shank mushrooms growing from a stump. These winter specialists thrive in freezing conditions, occupying a niche when most other fungi have retreated back into the substrate. We then walked down to the lake to watch the Mallards, some begging for food, others jostling over the final unfrozen patch of water.

Honeysuckle Havoc

Heading into Jesmond Dene, we saw what was to become a familiar sight: Wilson’s Honeysuckle. This evergreen shrub, native to China, was introduced to the UK in 1908 and has been widely planted as a low hedge due to its rapid growth, hardiness, and its ability to root incredibly easily – even from discarded hedge trimmings! Unfortunately, these characteristics have contributed to it becoming something of a pest these days. While not currently listed on Schedule 9 (invasive non-native species), Wilson’s Honeysuckle is classed by Natural England as being at ‘critical’ risk of potentially becoming classed as invasive in the future. It can form dense thickets, outcompeting native vegetation. It rarely flowers in the UK, offering limited ecological value beyond providing evergreen shelter and occasional nesting sites for birds. A good species to be familiar with!

Wilson’s Honeysuckle

Fantastic Ferns and Frozen Waterfalls

Very quickly we saw some of what Jesmond Dene is known for – ferns! There are 12 species of fern recorded here which is incredible for what is a relatively small area. We first spotted Soft Shield Fern, a beautiful fern with lance-shaped, glossy fronds. This species prefers the south and west of the UK but is moving north with our changing climate. As I was studying this elegant plant, Clare drew our attention to a stunning frozen waterfall, transformed into glistening icicles. And then, the cherry on top: a Jay nestled amongst the ice and ivy! Jays are always a treat, but it was extra special as it was Amelia’s (our student naturalist) first ever Jay sighting!

Kidney Power and Laurel Lowdown

We then stopped to admire a patch of Kidney Saxifrage. This was a new species for me, with its hairy stem and deep purple leaf undersides. This hardy little plant is native to alpine and subalpine regions of Europe and Asia, growing naturally as close as Ireland (Kerry and West Cork). It’s thought that Lord Armstrong himself introduced it to Jesmond Dene as a rockery plant, and it seems to be thriving! The name comes from its historical use in treating kidney stones and other ailments. It’s also rich in vitamin C and was even used as a famine food source. Further along, we saw two non-native evergreen shrubs: Cherry Laurel and Spotted Laurel. Both are shade-tolerant and can form dense thickets (especially Cherry Laurel), outcompeting native ground flora and hindering tree regeneration which was evident as we walked around. While livestock and many insects avoid the foliage (it contains cyanide compounds), birds happily munch on the berries, spreading the seeds far and wide. Spotted Laurel is less invasive, thankfully, as it doesn’t create such dense stands. We also passed some Rhododendron Ponticum, another notorious toxic invader which can completely dominate habitats. As a fungi enthusiast, I was particularly excited to spot evidence of “Bud Blast,” a fungal disease that targets the flower buds of Rhododendrons and Azaleas. This disease, spread by the Rhododendron Leafhopper (another non-native introduction, likely arriving on imported plants), prevents the buds from ever opening. Infected buds turn a dark brown or black and become covered in characteristic black, bristle-like fungal structures called coremia. While Bud Blast can weaken Rhododendrons and reduce flowering, it does not significantly limit their invasive spread, so active management is still necessary. We observed evidence of such management efforts throughout the Dene.

Secret Spiders

We got to the part of the walk I’d been most excited for: Cave Spiders! These giants of the UK spider world (females can have a leg span of 5-7cm!) are masters of the shadows, rarely venturing from their dark retreats in caves, mines, and tunnels. We initially spotted one, but as our eyes adjusted to the gloom, we realised the tunnel walls were home to hundreds! Everywhere we looked, we saw the distinctive white, cottony orbs of their egg sacs (each one containing up to 300 eggs!), carefully guarded by a large female. What an incredible sight! Each of these dedicated mothers diligently guards her egg sac throughout the harsh winter months. They do not typically hunt while guarding their eggs, prioritising the protection of their offspring over their own survival, and most mothers die soon after the spiderlings hatch in late winter or early spring. These tiny spiderlings are drawn to light (positive phototaxis), a crucial adaptation for dispersal. We even spotted a Herald Moth in the tunnel, perhaps unaware of the danger lurking as they are a favourite snack of the resident spiders!

Kingfisher Magic

A chance encounter with a photographer, who proudly shared a breathtaking kingfisher photo with us, hinted at the wonders still to come. Kingfishers are known to frequent this stretch of the Ouse Burn, and I’d been fortunate enough to see a flash of turquoise on a previous NHSN bird walk led by ornithology coordinator Anna Temple. However, I’d never seen anything like this! As we continued our walk, Clare suddenly gasped. There, perched on a low-hanging branch, was a beautiful Kingfisher, its iridescent plumage gleaming in the winter light. All four of us were enthralled watching this tiny little bird, its head perfectly still even as the branch swayed in the wind. We watched, spellbound, as, with incredible speed and precision, it plunged into the river and emerged triumphant with a tiny silver Minnow – a truly magical moment that had us all beaming for the rest of the day.

To read more about the work being done as part of the Ouse Burn Way, please click here.

Kingfisher
Ellie Davison
Urban Naturalist

 

Ellie works as Urban Naturalist at NHSN, where she is focuses on engaging the community with the wildlife of Newcastle and North Tyneside. Her role is funded by the Reece Foundation as part of The Ouse Burn Way project. Outside of work, she is passionate about many areas of ecology, particularly botany and fungi (with much of her house dedicated to growing both).