Gateshead Birders

Shibdon Pond

Off Shibdon Road
Blaydon
Gateshead
Tyne & Wear
NE21 5AF

GR NZ 195 628

Size 14 Ha

From the Hide

and in the snow, February 2005 [Photo:SF]

This local nature reserve, declared in 1990 is just ½ mile from the Derwent valley Country Park. Managed jointly by Gateshead MBC and Durham Wildlife Trust. Comprises a wide variety of habitats, including open water grassland and marsh supporting an impressive species list. All this on a site close to one of the largest shopping centres in Europe, major trunk roads, schools and housing. Shibdon pond is one of the few large open water sites between the Tyne and the Tees, and is an important wetland habitat in the area. It is thought that mining subsidence led to the formation of the pond which is fed by a spring issuing from old mine workings. The site, is also designated as a Site of Specific Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is fringed by extensive reed swamp and supports a large number of wintering wildfowl such as Tufted Duck and Teal. However species such as Mute Swan can be seen all year round.
It is an ideal bird watching site with open water, marsh, grassland and scrub habitats. Parking at Blaydon Swimming Pool. Access to the observation hide is by key only, available from the Thornley Woodlands Centre.

A wetland Nature Reserve and S.S.S.I. managed by Gateshead Leisure Services in conjunction with the Durham Wildlife Trust. It is situated on the north side of Shibdon Road (B6317), to the east of Blaydon, just to the south of the Scotswood Bridge, grid reference NZ195628. Parking is available at the nearby Blaydon Swimming Pool. The reserve consists of a large pond surrounded by marsh, reedbeds and areas of scrub. There is an observation hide in the south-west corner for which keys can be obtained from the Thornley Woodlands Centre, near Rowlands Gill.

Cormorant roost on the island
Photo: Ray Wilby

Over 180 species have been recorded and the reserve has something to offer at any time of the year. Summer months are excellent for viewing migrant warblers and hirundines, whilst in the winter the focus of attention switches to the pond and the wintering wildfowl. Autumn and spring passage periods, April-May and August-September, are the best times to see more unusual or rare species. Specialities of the reserve include: Water Rail and Mediterranean Gull, whilst a variety of other scarce species recorded over recent years include Spotted Crake and Bluethroat.

[Photo Steven Fryer]

Thanks to Frank Gillings for these photographs, more of Franks photos can be seen at http://www.callnetuk.com/home/fgillings/

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