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Bishops Fen

Durham  >  United Kingdom

Part of the Great North Fen a newly created area of scrapes, ponds, wet grassland and scrub.

Added* by John Olley
Most recent update 15 ноября 2024

Description

A developing site depending on water levels. Geese including Короткоклювый гуменник and occasionally Белолобый гусь, lots of duck in the winter and spring: Свиязь, Чирок-свистунок, Пеганка, Широконоска, Красноголовый нырок and Серая утка. Малая белая цапля and Большая белая цапля with Серая цапля regular. Водяной пастушок, Бекас, Гаршнеп, Черныш, attractive to large numbers of Чибис, Большой кроншнеп and Золотистая ржанка. Болотный лунь, Канюк, Чеглок are noted with Пухляк and common warblers, Черноголовый чекан and Полевой жаворонок.

The fen has a new viewing screen and interpretationpanel managed by Durham Wildlife Trust. The area is best viewed from the screen at the interpretation panel. Castle Lake hide is nearby.

Details

Access

You can reach Bishops Fen by walking a circular route from Bishop Middleman village following the Brightwater trail and also viewing Castle Lake. Parking is available at the farm at Church street. Press P on the map for directions. Two hours circular walking route. This route is shown on the map.

You can also reach Bishops Fen from Hardwick Park. A walk of approx. 1.4 miles. Follow public footpath from the Hardwick Park Visitors Centre west 300m and bare north at the end of the woodland. Follow this path for another 30m before turning west to follow the footpath for 350m. Once on the farm track north of Brakes Farm, follow the farm track north 550m before crossing a small beck. Continue north on the footpath passing large ponds on your right. You will arrive at the old railway line walk that dissects the Bishop's Fen Nature Reserve after around 800m.

Terrain and Habitat

Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , Pond , Reedbeds , River , Agriculture , Wetland

Conditions

Open landscape , Wet , High water possible

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Spring , Autumn , Winter , Autumn migration

Route

Wide path , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Average walk

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle

Birdwatching hide / platform

Yes

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

Top 5 birds

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