Upper Teesdale (Day Trip)

Tour Code: GBR84

A beautiful day walk in the North Pennines, exploring the wonderful upland habitats of hay meadows, juniper woods, limestone grassland and the river Tees.

1 days from
£50 (land only)
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Highlights

Summary

Summary

Join us for a beautiful day walk in the North Pennines, the backbone of England, around the headwaters of the River Tees. This area of the Moor House Upper Teesdale National Nature Reserve (managed by Natural England) has wonderful upland habitats: hay meadows, rough grazing, juniper woods, blanket bogs, limestone grassland and the restless, tumbling River Tees itself. We will meet at the Langdon Beck Hotel in Forest-in-Teesdale, and our ‘out and back’ walk along the river will cover around 6 miles. If we have time during the afternoon we will relocate by car for a gentle walk alongside Cow Green Reservoir. Please click on ‘detailed information’ below to read about the seasonal highlights of this Day Trip in spring and summer.

  • Waders, including Snipe, Curlew and Golden Plover
  • Black Grouse, Peregrine and occasional Short-eared Owls
  • Botanical highlights may include Alpine Bistort, Mountain Pansy and Northern Marsh Orchids

Early Spring

In early spring the waders are starting to return to their breeding areas. Lapwing, Snipe, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew and the handsome Golden Plover all breed here, Dippers are dashing up and down the narrow becks and the early arriving Common Sandpiper may be bobbing along the riverside rocks. This is Black Grouse lekking time and we may be lucky enough to see some feeding in the hay meadows or low bushes. It is still early for the special plants of the fells but the beautiful spring gentian can emerge in April and the amazing landscapes and geology – with the Whin Sill formed hundreds of millions of years ago from cooled molten rock, layers of sandstone, shale and the unique sugar limestone – are on view all year round in this UNESCO Global Geopark. The North Pennines are amazing whenever one views them!

Late Spring and Summer

During the late spring and summer months we expect to see numerous waders including Lapwing, Snipe, Oystercatcher, Redshank and Curlew, plus the handsome Golden Plover which breeds here. Wheatears are abundant and Ring Ouzels ‘chack-chack’ from the low juniper bushes, Black Grouse can be found feeding in the colourful hay meadows and Peregrine, Kestrel and the occasional Short-eared Owl are also to be seen. Botanical highlights may include rare arctic and alpine flowers such as Alpine Bistort and Mountain Pansy, Northern Marsh Orchids, and in the poorer soils of the peat bogs there are Sphagnum Mosses along with insect-eating sundews and butterworts.

DETAILED INFORMATION
Day Trip Location

Day Trip Location

Reviews
Dates & Prices

Dates & Prices

2024

Departures Availability Cost
Tue 14th May – Tue 14th May SPACES £50
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Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Andy Bunten
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Tour Leader: Andy Bunten

Andy Bunten has been an obsessive enthusiast about wildlife ever since he can remember. Educated at Cambridge, Newcastle and Imperial College, he then embarked on a career in nature conservation. He has worked for local government, wildlife trusts and, for 26 years, the RSPB. He initially worked in RSPB Scotland then headed south to be the Regional Director for the South East of England for 5 years before, in 1991, moving to the North of England to take up the reins of Director there. An experienced lecturer, Andy has cruised extensively completing over 20 trips ranging from South America to the Philippines and from Argentina to Svalbard. Now an Environmental Consultant, Andy is an enthusiastic traveller and has led wildlife groups to numerous places around the world including the Seychelles, France, Egypt, Costa Rica, Panama, Borneo, Norway and Spitsbergen. Over the last few years, he has led Naturetrek holidays in France, Romania, Hungary, Sweden, Spain and Scotland. He loves leading trips!

Tue 21st May – Tue 21st May FULL £50
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£50
Tour Leader:
Please note that, whilst we assign leaders to particular tours well in advance, we reserve the right to make changes if necessary
Keith Buchanan
Keith Buchanan.jpg

Tour Leader: Keith Buchanan

Keith Buchanan has more than 30 years' experience of working on biodiversity and landscape issues in the UK and internationally. Until August 2008 Keith was designing and leading a major project for Natural England to understand the impact of climate change on wildlife and landscapes. Prior to that he was a Programme Director within the Countryside Agency, and responsible for that Agency's work in relation to National Parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, climate change and land management. Since 2008 he has been freelance, and has led wildlife watching groups to many parts of Europe ,the Caribbean and South America and worked on biological expeditions in Indonesia, Central America, South America, Madagascar and South Africa.

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

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Why Naturetrek?

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