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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 Great Crested Grebe, Tufted Duck, Goosander and Common Sandpiper. Eurasian Oystercatcher, Common Redshank and Northern Lapwing sometimes roost on the dam. The Reservoir provides a regular winter roost venue for Black-headed Gull and a maximum of 850 birds has been recorded. Osprey has been recorded on a number of occasions and Great Cormorant is present in the winter. Also a good chance to see Eurasian Curlew and Grey Wagtail.
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 Eurasian Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Eurasian Nuthatch, Eurasian Woodcock, Tawny Owl, Pied Flycatcher and Common Redstart.
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.