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Description
Tunstall Reservoir is a water supply storage reservoir completed in 1879, and now used solely to maintain minimum regulatory flows on the River Wear. The reservoir borders the Backstone Bank and Baal Hill Woods Site of Special Scientific Interest. At the northern end of the reservoir, there is a small marshy area that is designated as a private nature reserve. The rest of the reservoir is used by for both Boat and Bank Fishing.
Tunstall Reservoir supports a small number of breeding Toppet Lappedykker, Troldand, Stor Skallesluger and Mudderklire. Strandskade, Rødben and Vibe sometimes roost on the dam. The Reservoir provides a regular winter roost venue for Hættemåge and a maximum of 850 birds has been recorded. Fiskeørn has been recorded on a number of occasions and Skarv is present in the winter. Also a good chance to see Storspove and Bjergvipstjert.
The woodland on the eastern edge of the reservoir contains a variety of trees, including, sessile oak, ash, alder, willows, rowan, hazel, holly and birch. This attracts birds such as Grønspætte, Stor Flagspætte, Spætmejse, Skovsneppe, Natugle, Broget fluesnapper and Rødstjert.
Details
Access
Tunstall Reservoir is situated in the north Pennines and lies 3.5 km north of the village of Wolsingham, in Weardale, County Durham. Click on the P in the map for directions to a parking lot. There is a 3 km footpath around the reservoir.