Overview
There is one large pond and several smaller ones dotted around the site attracting a good variety of water birds, both resident and migrant. There is a permanent head of Mallard, Tufted Duck, Pochard, Coot and Moorhen with Cormorants, Little Grebe, Ruddy Duck, Heron seen almost daily. Mute Swan and Canada Geese breed most years. Goldeneye, Red Crested Pochard, Kingfisher and Smew crop up each year. The pond can be accessed from three sides the fourth being a nature reserve. The surrounding bushes hold a good selection of the smaller birds. Whilst unsightly electricity pylons cross the site they provide perfect lookout points for numerous Kestrels, Sparrowhawks and the occasional Marsh and Hen Harriers which have been known to nest in the park.
Several of the smaller wetland areas attract a wide variety of Dragonfly and Damselfly in the Summer for which the site is noted.
The stream through the site attracts water birds and Kingfisher.
Birds
Black-headed Gull, Eurasian Blackbird, Blue Tit, Eurasian Bullfinch, Chaffinch, Coal Tit, Eurasian Coot, Dunnock, Feral Pigeon, Gadwall, Goldcrest, Goldeneye, Goosander, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch, Grey Wagtail, Eurasian Kestrel, Linnet, Long-tailed Tit, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Mute Swan, Pheasant, Pied Wagtail, Pochard, Redwing, Reed Bunting, Rook, Common Shelduck, Siskin, Eurasian Starling, Tree Sparrow, Eurasian House Saprrow, Tufted Duck, Bohemian Waxwing, WILLOW TIT, WREN, YELLOWHAMMER, RED NECKED GREBE, MARSH TIT, CROW, SHOVELER, CORMORANT, LESSER REDPOLL, KINGFISHER, MEADOW PIPIT, SPARROWHAWK, LITTLE GREBE, GOLDFINCH, FIELDFARE, ROBIN, SANDERLING, SHORT EARED OWL, LITTLE EGRET, GREY PARTRIDGE, STONECHAT, GOLDEN PLOVER, OYSTERCATCHER, REDSHANK, GREY HERON, BLACKCAP, WOODCOCK, SKYLARK, COMMON TERN, SAND MARTIN, House Martin, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Chiffchaff, Barn Swallow, Willow Warbler, Eurasian Jackdaw, Northern Wheatear, Common Whitethroat, Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Common Sandpiper, Spotted Flycatcher, Red Crested Pochard.
Notable Species
RED CRESTED POCHARD AND RED-NECKED GREBE are winter visitors appearing some years. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER to date has been a passage migrant.
Check-list
Other Wildlife
Site Information
Located off the A1185 Seal Sands Road two kilometres east of the A689 Wolviston Roundabout junction on the north side of Billingham. Site facilities include a large metalled car park and several paths providing easy access for the disabled. There is a modern visitor centre, but opening times seem to vary and is geared more toward school visits and organised activities though they won't turn anyone away.
The main site covers approx one square kilometre of mainly grassland which also covers two small hills. There are varied habitats including still water ponds, a stream, reed beds, mixed woodland and several established hedge lines. The south side of Seal Sands Road is part of the park and is mainly recently planted woodland with numerous paths throughout.
Adjacent to the car park and access through a small chain link gate opposite the car park entrance is a bird feeding station which is kept going throughout Winter and early Spring attracting a very good head of birds with regular visitors including Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, Yellowhammer, Robin, Wren, Blackbird, Redwing, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Bullfinch, Yellowhammer, Coal Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Willow Tit, Marsh Tit and Great Spotted Woodpecker. There is a second smaller feeding station behind the visitors centre used by ringers but access isn't as good as the main one with food only provided when ringing is in progress.
History and Use
Originally the site was used for clay extraction for manufacture of bricks. Following disuse it remained a private site with the main pond used for fishing. Various periods of use as a dump followed before finally being reclaimed for use as an area of parkland.
Areas of Interest
Activity Centre, large pond, numerous footpaths through grassland and woodland including Faith Wood.
Access and Facilities
Facilities - Months Open: All Year Opening Hours: Summer : 9am-9pm Winter: 9am-4pm. Activity Centre - Sundays 10am-4pm Car parking facilities: Yes Coach parking facilities: Yes Picnic area (uncovered): Yes Wheelchair access: Yes Toilets: Yes Children's play area: Yes Shop/gift centre: Yes Coffee shop: Yes
Contact Details
The Activity Centre Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park Seal Sands Link Road Billingham TS23 3NF Phone: 01642 371633 Email: Tommy.Pybus'at'stockton.gov.uk
External Links
Reviews
Bird Forum local patch report 2006 Bird Forum local patch report 2007
