Bowesfield Wetland Nature Reserve
Bowesfield is a new wetland nature reserve created and managed by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust working with Banks -the developer of the surrounding residential and business land. The reserve is only a few years old and is not yet complete however, it has already developed into a fascinating place to see nature.
Bowesfield is on the flood plain of the River Tees and three large, reed-fringed pools can be explored via a network of surfaced paths and bridges. A longer footpath, the Teesdale Way, follows the riverbank and gives glimpses of birdlife using a sizeable area of undisturbed wetland contained within ditches and hedgebanks.
There are a range of open habitats including open water, reed beds, marsh and grassland. The reserve supports important numbers of Ducks and wading birds including Teal, Curlew, Gadwall, Shoveler, Ruff and Golden Plover. More than 100 different species of bird have been recorded.
Otters are not un-common in the river and Deer and Foxes can be seen on the reserve, especially at dawn and dusk.
The Teesdale Way links Bowesfield to neighbouring nature reserves and, in a 45 minute walk, to the centre of Stockton.
From the A66 head south on the A135 towards Yarm. At the second roundabout turn left into Concorde Way. Follow this across mini-roundabouts to the bottom of the hill. At the bottom, turn left and park on an informal car park on the right.
Grid Ref: NZ4415