Where to watch wildlife

The following is a selection of our reservoir sites with suggested walks of varying lengths that will enable you to enjoy the outstanding landscape and hopefully see some of the wildlife!

Bakethin reservoir

Forming part of the Kielder Water and Forest Park this reservoir has been designated as a nature reserve and this relatively short walk offers a chance to enjoy some of the wonderful scenery.   The walk, starting from Bakethin Nature Reserve car park , crosses the North Tyne and follows a series of forestry tracks and part of the old railway line, offering some fantastic views of Bakethin.  This picture shows one of the views from the skewed viaduct which crosses the North Tyne.

Click on the pdf link below to download a map and
description of the walk.

Distance	Time	Map
4.5 km	Allow 1.5 - 2 hours

Tunstall reservoir

Tunstall reservoir is located within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has an excellent circular walk through semi-natural broadleaved woodland.  This walk is not only a very scenic and relaxing walk but once in the woodland offers the chance to view a variety of wildlife.

Please note that walking shoes/boots or similar footwear should be worn as the walk can be muddy in places and the path in the woodland section is also uneven in places.

The best place to start this walk is from the car park
located halfway along the western edge of the reservoir.

Please click on the link below for a map and
description of the walk.

Distance	Time	Map
3.0 km	Allow 1 hour

Scaling Dam reservoir

Scaling Dam reservoir is located within the North York Moors National Park.  The western end of the reservoir site has been designated a nature reserve and part of this lies within the North York Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest.  Although there is no public access within the nature reserve we have developed an excellent circular walk that follows the boundary of the reserve and the reservoir.

You can do this walk beginning at either of the two car parks located just off the A171.  Both car parks have toilet facilities and there are also picnic tables and benches.  The eastern car park also has a mobile catering facility whilst the northern car park (where the Sailing Club is located) has an information centre with a small retail facility selling sweets and icecream. 

Please click on the attached pdf link to download a map.

Distance	Time	Map
4.6 km	Allow 1.5 to 2 hrs

Remember: visit the bird hide close to the sailing club which offers a good vantage point for bird watching all year round. Scaling Dam is important for wintering wildfowl and from September-October onwards the reservoir has over wintering coot, pochard and mallard amongst others. In spring and autumn passage migrant and scarce wildfowl can also be seen including shoveler, gadwall, goosander and osprey.

Teesdale reservoirs

This walk is best started from Balderhead Reservoir which offers stunning views of Blackton and Hury reservoirs.

Take time to visit the Hannah’s Meadow interpretive centre and the Northumbrian Water bird hide on the north shore of Blackton which offers pleasant views of the reservoir.  Built in 1896, Blackton Reservoir is the shallowest of the Teesdale reservoirs and its
western end is designated as a Local Wildlife Site so
keep an eye out for birds such as wigeon, common
sandpiper and tufted duck.

Please click on the attached pdf links to download
a map.

Distance	Time	Map
12.6 km	Allow 3 to 4 hrs

Please note: suitable outdoor footwear is required.