Wetlands are complex and can often be made up of a diverse range of water dependant habitats. Across the North East, wetlands can be made up of redbeeds, peatbogs, rivers and streams, fen and carr, and standing water ranging from a small pond to a large lake. This diverse and complex range of habitats means wetlands are rich in wildlife. The wildlife you see is quite often determined by the type of wetland habitat present. 

Fen and wet grasslands are often home to waders such as the curlew, snipe and golden plover. Within reed beds, you may see a harvest mouse building its nest between the stalks, or a bittern waiting by the water in search of fish. While, in a river or stream you would be likely to see otters and herons, hunting for fish such as salmon and trout.

Visitors to a wetland habitat may also spot sedge warblers sheltering in reed beds, water voles scurrying around the margins of ponds, and dragonflies and damselflies skirting the water’s edge…

As well as a bustling habitat for wildlife, wetlands are a natural flood-defence. They help to slow the flow of nearby streams and store vast amounts of water which would, otherwise, cause nearby flooding.

Many wetlands also form peat, which stores huge amounts of carbon and acts like a sponge, absorbing rainfall and snowmelt before releasing it at a gradual pace. Peat is formed when water-logged conditions prevent vegetation from decaying fully.

Historically, areas of land which held a vast amount of water, such as floodplains, were drained for agriculture. This practice has taken place in the UK since Roman times, however drainage was particularly rigorous during the Industrial Revolution. Today, these areas have potential to be re-wilded into thriving wetland habitats.

Read on to discover our five favourite wetland habitats!

1. Low Barns Nature Reserve

Low Barns is one of the North East’s most important wildlife sites due to its combination of wetland, woodland, grassland and open-water habitats. This reserve is also regarded a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The circular route around the reserve takes approximately 30 minutes to walk. The footpath meanders loosely around the central lake, passing through woodland and grassland, and every so often a wooden bird-hide. (These make the perfect shelters from which to watch the various bird species which live on the lake.)

If visiting between the months of April and October, you may spot a sedge warbler singing in the reeds. Between November and February, visitors who arrive around dusk may be lucky enough to experience mesmerising starling murmurations above the new board walk - the perfect spot to watch starlings dive back down to the reed beds. On the western side of the lake, the footpath follows the route of the River Wear, making it the ideal place to spot kingfishers and herons.

2. Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve was opened in 1996, when the Rye Hill opencast coal mine was restored. Rainton Meadows has since been transformed into an idyllic wildlife sanctuary, consisting of a range of habitat types. Amongst the reserve, there is a network of ponds and three hides from which to view the species that live here.

In fact, this reserve is now home to over 200 recorded bird species. Waders including oystercatchers and lapwings are often spotted here, alongside rarer species such as the little ringed plover. During the summer, the wildflower meadows become home to a plethora of butterfly species, while the wetlands are home to many dragonflies and damselflies. Mammals including stoat, brown hare and roe deer have also been sighted around the reserve.

Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve features three walking routes (heron, shrew and dragonfly). Each route gives a slightly different perspective of the reserve, with scenic viewpoints such as Nicholson’s Hill and Joe’s Pond.

3. Shibdon Pond Nature Reserve

Shibdon Pond Nature Reserve was likely formed from land which was affected by mining subsidence. The reserve here has since been re-wilded to create a bustling wetlands habitat, with a range of wildlife visitors depending on the time of year…

Shibdon Pond is considered to be one of the best wetlands in the region to spot wintering wildfowl. During these cold winter months, visitors to Shibdon Pond have witnessed a range of relatively rare migratory species, such as the green-winged teal from Northern America. Likewise, visitors have spotted the glaucous gull and Iceland gull which originate from the Arctic Circle.

The marshland around the pond provides nesting sites for sedge warblers and shelter for mammals such as otters and water voles.

4. Bishop’s Fen Nature Reserve

Bishop’s Fen Nature Reserve is situated on the floodplain of the River Skerne.  The land here was previously used for agriculture, however, the land here would have once looked vastly different…

There is anecdotal evidence to suggest that hundreds of years ago the land at Bishop’s Fen was a bustling fenland, used as a hunting ground for the Prince Bishops. Documents show a wealth of bird species being served at feasts hosted by the prince bishops, including herons and egrets. Other species such as curlews, lapwings and golden plovers have recently been sighted at Bishop’s Fen.

There is a short circular walking route to Bishop’s Fen which begins at Hardwick Park, Sedgefield. This track is approximately 1.4miles long and passes through some woodland, giving views to the fenland itself. Durham Wildlife Trust has exciting plans to re-wild Bishops Fen, alongside Ricknall Carrs and Mordon Carrs, to create ‘The Great North Fen’. To learn more about these ambitious plans regarding The Great North Fen, click here.

5. Malton Nature Reserve

Malton Nature Reserve is situated to the east of Lanchester and was previously a colliery site until 1961, when the colliery closed. Currently, Malton comprises of woodland, wildflower meadows, and ponds which attract a range of rare species. Most unusual, is the bulrush wainscot moth which lives in the reeds here, alongside the great crested newt and a range of dragonflies and butterflies.

There is a short (800 metre) walking route around the reserve which begins at Malton Picnic Area.  It is well worth a visit to this smaller wetland reserve, especially in spring or summer when the wildflowers are likely to be blooming, and home to an array of fascinating wildlife.