LOW FORCE
Lekking grouse and lots more at this scenic site
This is a very scenic route offering you some of the best birds and flora of Teesdale. The starting point is the Bowlees Visitor Centre, supported by the North Pennine AONB, which has a great wealth of information as well as a well-earned cup of tea on your return. The land around the visitor centre has a mixture of habitats with woodland, stream and quarry where limestone plants can be found along with hunting owls and Kestrels. I found Redstarts with fledged young here in 2016 and there were plenty of Willow Warblers, Blackcap and even a Pied Flycatcher. The walk to the river saw a nesting Redstart as well as Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Great Spotted Woodpecker. The first fields held plants such as Spotted Orchid with general grassland flora. Once by the River Tees, there is the chance of Dipper and Grey Wagtail, especially by the falls. Goosander nest along the river and Common Sandpiper could be found near open stretches of river with no trees. The surrounding fields have breeding Curlew, Lapwing, Oystercatcher and Snipe. Whinchats like the rough grassland and Bracken while the open rocky areas have Ring Ouzel and Wheatear. I used to find Yellow Wagtails around the fields, but they have declined dramatically. Meadow Pipit and Sky Lark are still here, while Reed Buntings like the wet flushes with tall vegetation. Raptors are often thin on the ground but Kestrels hunt the fields for voles, as do Barn Owls at night. Short-eared Owls are more often seen higher up the fells (where they are ‘allowed’)! The big prize in this area is Black Grouse, with several leks in the area. Always check out berry trees in the autumn, as both ‘Black Cocks’ and ‘Grey Hens’ may be found on these fruit. Later in the year they will feed on birch buds and catkins.