Blackton Reservoir

About the Site

Blackton is the shallowest of the Teesdale reservoirs and was built in 1896 at an altitude of 270 metres. The western end of the 26.7 hectare reservoir is important for wildfowl.

The grassland by Birk Hat Farm contains meadow foxtail, crested dog’s-tail and sweet vernal-grass.

Characteristic woodland herbs such as bluebell, wood anemone and wood sorrel can also be found. These shade loving plants indicate that the area was formerly covered in woodland. Semi-natural woodland is still present around the steep-sided gills with birch, rowan, goat willow and hawthorn present.

Due to the variety of wildlife habitats there are quite a number of birds associated with the site including mistle thrush, song thrush, blackbird and great tit. Populations of song thrush have declined rapidly over the last few years due to habitat destruction and this is a valuable site for their conservation. Wheatear, meadow pipit and skylark, whose populations have also declined dramatically, are found in the grassland. Coot, moorhen, sedge warbler and reed bunting nest at the western end of the reservoir.

Herons and a variety of waders including oystercatcher, snipe, redshank and curlew visit the site to feed, especially when the reservoir has been drawn-down, exposing the muddy margins at the western end. Wildfowl also visit the reservoir during the winter months in small numbers. During bad winters black grouse come down to feed on the birch on the southern and western end of the reservoir.

Blackton Reservoir

Location

Blackton nestles between Balderhead and Hury, and is best approached from either Romaldkirk or Cotherstone on the B6277. From Hury South abutment car park continue west and reach Blackton through a large steel gate on the right (signed) along a gravel road.

Grid reference: NY 942 185

Facilities

There is a car park on the north side of the dam and a footpath along the shore of the reservoir. The half-way point of the 250 mile Pennine Way crosses Blackton Bridge at the western end.

There is a bird hide on the north bank below Birk Hat farm, once farmed by Hannah Hauxwell, made famous after TV documentaries revealed her austere way of life. The adjacent fields called Hannah's Meadow are now managed by Durham Wildlife Trust who have converted a local stone barn into a small interpretive centre.

Blackton Reservoir also has a "fly-only" fishery.

Enquiries

Northumbrian Water
Abbey Road
Pity Me
Durham
DH1 5FJ

Tel: 0870 2403549