England · five wildlife sites

Nature reserves & wildlife sites in County Durham

Explore these places for wildlife in County Durham. Seasonal notes suggest when to look; sightings are not guaranteed.

01 / 05

Low Barns

Near Witton-le-Wear.

Habitat: Freshwater lakes, reedbeds, woodland and meadows beside the River Wear.
Wildlife to look for: Kingfisher, otter, roe deer, southern hawker dragonfly (summer) and starling (winter murmurations).

02 / 05

Near Hawthorn, near Seaham.

Habitat: Ancient woodland in a steep coastal ravine, with limestone meadows and a rocky shore.
Wildlife to look for: Roe deer, jay, treecreeper and great spotted woodpecker.

03 / 05

Near Bishop Middleham.

Habitat: Disused limestone quarry with flower-rich grassland, exposed rock and patches of woodland.
Wildlife to look for: Northern brown argus butterfly (June and July), dingy skipper butterfly (late spring), common blue butterfly (summer), small copper butterfly (spring to autumn) and six-spot burnet moth (summer).

04 / 05

Near Tow Law.

Habitat: Open heathland with heather, bilberry, acid grassland and rush pasture.
Wildlife to look for: Curlew (spring and summer), lapwing (spring and summer), skylark, common lizard (spring to autumn) and green hairstreak butterfly (spring).

05 / 05

Near Hunderthwaite, near Romaldkirk.

Habitat: Traditional upland hay meadows and grazing pasture in Baldersdale.
Wildlife to look for: Curlew, lapwing, redshank, skylark and meadow pipit (particularly spring and early summer).