Waskerley, Smiddyshaw & Hisehope Reservoirs

About the Site

Waskerley, Smiddyshaw and Hisehope are upland reservoirs situated amongst wild moorland at the top of the Derwent Valley. Waskerley and Smiddyshaw are situated at an altitude of 350 metres and Hisehope at 340 metres, offering stunning views over Muggleswick Common and distant moorland.

Good numbers of waders congregate at all of the reservoirs when water levels are low enough to expose the soft mud. Waders are a group of birds that are so called because of the way they wade around on exposed mud and in the shallows probing the soft mud for insects and worms. Species of wader that can be seen here include curlew, sandpiper and grey plover. Look out for the distinctive long, curved beak of the curlew.

Heather

With an area of 25.5 hectares Waskerley is the largest reservoir. Osprey sometimes occurs on spring passage here. A small conifer plantation next to this reservoir supports thriving populations of common woodland birds such as chiffchaff, willow warbler and pied flied catcher.

Concentrations of as many as 1000 black-headed gulls may be seen at Smiddyshaw Reservoir, which can be quite a noisy spectacle. Great crested grebe use the site and some of the more unusual visitors include black tern, grey plover, jack snipe and snow bunting. Also, petrified wood is visible in some areas with reduced water levels.

Hisehope Reservoir occasionally attracts wigeon and a few teal.

The reservoirs are well worth visiting between August and September for the views over the great sweeping lilac carpet produced by heather’s flowers covering the surrounding moorland. The occasional glimpse of a merlin (a small bird of prey) or a black grouse may also be caught.

Map

Location

All three reservoirs are accessible from the high moorland road between Stanhope and Consett on Muggleswick Common. A locked barrier at the entrance to Hisehope means that access is by foot only. All are within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Grid references:

Waskerley: NZ 023 443

Smiddyshaw: NZ 042 462

Hisehope: NZ 022 467

Facilities

Car parking is limited at all three sites; with public footpaths running down to the water's edge.

Enquiries

Northumbrian Water
Abbey Road
Pity Me
Durham
DH1 5FJ

Tel: 0870 2403549

Information kindly provided by Durham Bird Club.