About the reserve

Shibdon Pond is one of the few large open water bodies left in the southern part of Tyne and Wear and is one of the best wetlands in the region for wintering wildfowl.

The pond, probably formed as a result of mining subsidence, is spring fed and fringed with rich aquatic flora, willow and hawthorn scrub and damp grassland.

Large numbers of wetland birds are recorded here including lapwing, golden plover, redshank, snipe, teal as well as water rail, sand piper and kingfisher.

The summer attracts martins, swifts and swallows and in winter, cormorants roost alongside occasional rare visitors such as Iceland gull.

The bird hide at Shibdon Pond was installed by Gateshead Council and a key is required to access it. This can be purchased from Thornley Woodlands Centre. Find more details here.  

There are a number of species-rich grassland areas within this nature reserve, which feature a number of orchid species along with dingy skipper and brimstone butterflies. This is one of the few places in Gateshead where the pyramidal orchid has been recorded.