Grassholme Reservoir

About the Site

Grassholme reservoir lies to the east of Selset and was built in 1915. It is set in the dales which are characterised with traditional stone walls and fields of bright yellow buttercups, and offers the visitor dramatic views and waterside walks.

At 57.6 hectares, the reservoir provides an important refuge for both over-wintering birds and resident breeding birds.

Huge flocks of up to 2000 black-headed gulls can be seen on the wetlands near the main inflow between March and June. Although many of the gulls gathered are from other areas of England such as the North-East and East Anglia, some have been recorded from as far afield as Denmark.

Ducks are also common visitors to the reservoir, including the colourful widgeon and teal, which is one of the smallest duck species. Other wildfowl such as tufted duck, coot and moorhen breed here, often building their nests under the cover of the tall vegetation that grows around the edges of the reservoir.

The reservoir is entirely surrounded by grassland with small pockets of woodland. The grassland is made up of short species such as sheep’s fescue and sweet vernal grass. The young leaves of sweet vernal grass taste of marzipan, which explains why it is a favourite food of many animals.

This grassland is used as breeding grounds by a host of waders. Species include snipe, oystercatcher and lapwing. Snipe are shy birds and you are only likely to catch a brief glimpse of them as they scramble for cover. Look out for the bright red beak of the oystercatcher and the green metallic sheen of lapwings as their plumage catches the light. Another name commonly used for lapwing is pee-wit and the reason for this will become obvious when their call is heard "peeeewitt"!

The Reservoir is well worth a visit in late autumn to see the waders, when disturbed, fly up in huge flocks that look like thick clouds. A colony of jackdaws also live here in disused rabbit burrows.

Jackdaws are known for their habit of collecting shiny objects, which they hoard in their burrows.

The small fragments of woodland on the reserve are dominated by ash trees with an understorey of hazel, which is commonly known as cobnut due to the fruit that is produced. The woodlands have a rich ground flora best seen in mid to late spring before the ash trees are in leaf and sunlight is blocked out.

Species such as primrose, bluebell and wood sorrel carpet the woodland floor in arrays of yellows, blues and whites. The leaves of wood sorrel may be mistaken for those of clover but with closer inspection around Easter time its delicate, veined white flowers can be seen.

Grassholme Reservoir

Location

Grassholme is situated in Lunedale, between the B6276 Middleton-in-Teesdale road and an unclassified road running from Mickleton to Kelton. Turn off the B6277 at Mickleton - signposted to Grassholme. The entrance to the main car park and Visitor Centre is about 3 kilometres along the road on the right.

Grid Reference: NY 940 224

The Pennine Way forms the eastern boundary of the site.

Facilities

Visitors are welcome on the site throughout the year. The centre is usually open from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm, April to October. This incorporates toilets, a warden's office and fishing lodge, a tea room with refreshments in the summer, and an information room which features a 'hands-on' exhibition giving details of the recreational opportunities in the area and current conservation initiatives. Toilets are accessible for visitors with disabilities. There is no entrance fee.

A recently built hide complete with identification chart, looks out over the reserve and is an excellent place for viewing these birds. It is accessible on foot and designed to accommodate wheelchairs.

Enquiries

Northumbrian Water
Recreation and Conservation Department
Abbey Road
Pity Me
Durham
DH1 5FJ
Tel: 0870 2403549