Shibdon Pond and Meadow

One of the best wetland sites in the region; regionally important for its high number of bird species

Location

Shibdon Pond Nature Reserve

Blaydon

NE21 5LU

Know before you go

Size

21 hectares

Grazing animals

Yes

Walking trails

Access

Terrain: Moderate
Mixed terrain. Good path networks but raised walkways are not suitable for mobility scooters and the meadow has no pathways. Children should be supervised at all times.

Access and Parking
Situated near the A1 and the Metrocentre, the reserve can be reached via the B6317 Swalwell to Blaydon Road. Parking is available at the car park near the Blaydon Youth and community Centre. Head north east for 200m to the reserve entrance. A path alongside the railway line - accessed at the far end of the ponds - offers a connecting route between Shibdon Meadow and Shibdon Pond under the A1 dual carriageway.

Public Transport
Buses are available from Neville Street, Newcastle towards Winlaton. Alight at Blaydon and take a short bus journey to Blaydon Baths – Shibdon Pond is a short walk from there.

Dogs

On a lead

Facilities

Bird hides

When to visit

Opening times

Open at all times

Best time to visit

April to June, July to September

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.