Upper Teesdale (Day Trip)

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.