Wildlife
With its mixture of upland habitats the North Pennines is home to an amazing variety of wildlife.
The upland hay meadows and associated habitats support several species of breeding waders and are important feeding areas for invertebrates and bats. Moorlands are home to birds like red grouse, black grouse, curlew, golden plover, merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl. Adders are found in moorland and heath and wetter areas of moorland are also home to amphibians.
The headwaters of streams and rivers are particularly important wildlife habitats and support species not found in other parts of river systems. Many uplands streams and rivers of the North Pennines are strongholds for water voles. Otters can be found in lots of streams and reservoirs in the area. Some of the woodlands of the AONB support birds like migratory pied flycatcher and the wood warbler and red squirrels are found in several locations throughout the region.
Allen Banks & Staward Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 3
![Pied flycatcher © NPAP Pied flycatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp004_0.jpg?itok=oYZTOkcP)
Allen Banks Geotrail
Allendale: Hay Time Walk 1
![Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Great burnet © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp044.jpg?itok=2eecV8J9)
Ark on the Edge - Animal Rescue Centre, Teesdale
![Ark on the Edge © Ark on the Edge Ark on the Edge © Ark on the Edge](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp116.jpg?itok=k5p5fc5k)
Ashes Quarry Geotrail
![Ashes Quarry above Stanhope in Weardale © NPAP/Neil Diment Ashes Quarry above Stanhope in Weardale © NPAP/Neil Diment](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp019.jpg?itok=ZDaKILBI)
Baldersdale: Hay Time Walk 3
![Species rich meadow © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Species rich meadow © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp046.jpg?itok=iSNPhwWi)
Blackton Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 14
![Oystercatcher © NPAP Oystercatcher © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp015_0.jpg?itok=BI5KQ66e)
Blanchland
![Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp130.jpg?itok=7xxbbng6)
Blanchland Geotrail
![Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp021.jpg?itok=aLE7vyGV)
Blanchland: Along the river bank (A trail of three tails!)
![Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris Blanchland in bloom © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp056_0.jpg?itok=BwswrLzT)
Blanchland: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 5
![Dipper © NPAP Dipper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp006_0.jpg?itok=waqf8w5u)
Bowlees Visitor Centre
![Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP Bowlees Visitor Centre © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_19.jpg?itok=Z9HzuFBE)
Burnhope Head: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 7
![Merlin © NPAP Merlin © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp008_0.jpg?itok=XXWTWfzF)
Cardunneth Pike Open Access Walk
![Walkers above Castle Carrock reservoir © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Walkers above Castle Carrock reservoir © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp092.jpg?itok=AxpS-xtF)
Cow Green Geological Trail
![Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley Cauldron Snout on the River Tees © Natural England/Charlie Hedley](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp051_0.jpg?itok=G9tP71fF)
Cowshill (Weardale): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 8
![Short-eared owl © NPAP Short-eared owl © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp009_0.jpg?itok=95tPUu0B)
Derwent Gorge: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 6
![Redstart © NPAP Redstart © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp007_0.jpg?itok=O3Be9fbn)
Derwent Reservoir - Walks, rides and wildlife
![Derwent Reservoir © NPAP/Shane Harris Derwent Reservoir © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_22.jpg?itok=ByF0vKIV)
Derwent Reservoir and Pow Hill Country Park
![Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP Couple walking at Pow Hill Country Park © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp057_0.jpg?itok=mPPyL5s8)
Derwent Reservoir: North Pennine Birdwalks - Site 1
![Black headed gull © NPAP Black headed gull © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp016_0.jpg?itok=px8Gtxux)
Dufton Pike Open Access Walk
![Dufton Pike © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Dufton Pike © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp096.jpg?itok=GIW-Llg4)
Dufton Pike: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 11
![Wheatear © NPAP Wheatear © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp012_0.jpg?itok=p4o8vgsS)
East Allen Valley Wildflower Walk
![Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett Allenheads © © NPAP & Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_0.jpg?itok=hTwX5Wt8)
Eden Outdoor Adventures
![Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures Gyhll scrambling © Eden Outdoor Adventures](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp136_0.jpg?itok=W-LRsp8o)
Egglesburn Wood
![Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Dipper © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_20.jpg?itok=p65YJQi5)
Epiacum Roman Fort (aka Whitley Castle): Alston through the ages
![Epiacum from the air © English Heritage Epiacum from the air © English Heritage](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp050.jpg?itok=_n2M5mEc)
Garrigill: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 10
![Common sandpiper © NPAP Common sandpiper © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp011_1.jpg?itok=ZQmYTICm)
Hamsterley Forest
![Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor Hamsterley Forest © NPAP/Louise Taylor](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_23.jpg?itok=lv-4Mgf-)
Hannah's Meadow Nature Reserve
![Hannah's Meadow © NPAP/Shane Harris Hannah's Meadow © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp119.jpg?itok=Vi30x48c)
Hayberries Nature Reserve
![Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk Sand martins © www.northeastwildlife.co.uk](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_21.jpg?itok=eyOq8F1O)
Howden Burn (Weardale): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 13
![Lapwing © NPAP Lapwing © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp014_0.jpg?itok=KCb_zlsP)
Ireshopeburn (Weardale): Hay Time Walk 2
![Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Path to the hay meadows in Ireshopeburn © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp045.jpg?itok=AmkldBH5)
Isaacs Tea Trail
![© Roger Morris © Roger Morris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_2.jpg?itok=33ii50L1)
Killhope Lead Mining Museum
![Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum Washing Floor at Killhope © Killhope Museum](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_24.jpg?itok=LWcNihY0)
Knock Geological Trail
![Great Dun Fell © NPAP/Shane Harris Great Dun Fell © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp048_0.jpg?itok=O7lss1Gr)
Lambley and the South Tyne: North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 1
![Curlew © NPAP Curlew © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp003_0.jpg?itok=7dxyoqjw)
Low Barns Nature Reserve
![Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com Red Kite © www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer/blogspot.com](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp120.jpg?itok=dWH3XUfC)
Mickleton to Middleton
![River Tees © NPAP River Tees © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_54.jpg?itok=BSIA-reP)
Newbiggin and the Carriers’ Way
![Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris Walkers on the heather moors © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp054.jpg?itok=oyqwjqj-)
Over the hill to Cowbyre Farm
![Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP Derwent Reservoir from above Blanchland © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp055.jpg?itok=Ewo9LB_O)
Raby Castle
![Raby Castle © Dugald Cameron Raby Castle © Dugald Cameron](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp143.jpg?itok=1AzZgtjk)
Rookhope: Fields and Fells
![Rookhope © NPAP/Shane Harris Rookhope © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp062.jpg?itok=m3oW1-ZJ)
RSPB Geltsdale Walking Trails
![Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Stagsike Cottage at RSPB Geltsdale © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp104.jpg?itok=8nBIeZZn)
Slitt Wood and West Rigg Geotrail
![Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Slitt Wood waterfall © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp022.jpg?itok=wP5ldXI9)
Spring Gentian
![Spring gentian © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Spring gentian © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp047.jpg?itok=9CXGhJxq)
Take a walk in the woods…
![Walker at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett Walker at Allen Banks and Staward Gorge © NPAP/Elizabeth Pickett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp053_0.jpg?itok=Zx9mMNIq)
Taste Trails: Allendale to Whitfield Circular
![Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris Allendale Bakery © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp124.jpg?itok=ewe2wHkb)
Teesdale Reservoir Walk
![Hury Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker Hury Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp103.jpg?itok=ZdIh0Eic)
The Chimneys and Dryburn Moor (Allen Valleys): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 4
![Golden plover © NPAP Golden plover © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp005.jpg?itok=LAVl2N1l)
The Garden Station
![The Garden Station © The Garden Station The Garden Station © The Garden Station](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp144.jpg?itok=cNuKDBOf)
The Harehope Quarry Project
![A view of Harehope Quarry © Tom Mercer A view of Harehope Quarry © Tom Mercer](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp110.jpg?itok=20Ha76xn)
The National Trust - Allen Banks and Staward Gorge woodland walk
![Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris Bluebells at Allen Banks © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp071_0.jpg?itok=czxoVU0w)
Tindale Tarn: North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 2
![Wigeon © NPAP Wigeon © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp002_0.jpg?itok=FxVIlCAi)
Tow Law, Thornley & Harperley
![Inquisitive cattle © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett Inquisitive cattle © NPAP/Rebecca Barrett](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp067.jpg?itok=sUKpAYR2)
Tunstall Reservoir Walk
![Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle Backstone Bank wood beside Tunstall Reservoir © NPAP/Ruth Starr-Keddle](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp102.jpg?itok=KjB2b401)
Tyne Train Trails - Riding Mill to Corbridge
Tyne Train Trails: Bardon Mill to Haltwhistle
Tyne Train Trails: Hexham to Haydon Bridge
Up on the ridge: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy Knock Pike and the Eden Valley © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp078.jpg?itok=hD6rLsTR)
Upper Teesdale (Hanging Shaw): North Pennine Birdwalks Walk 12
![Black grouse © NPAP Black grouse © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp013_0.jpg?itok=CpHK4uO-)
Upper Teesdale Wildflower Walk
![Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership Upper Teesdale walk © The North Pennines AONB Partnership](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_3.jpg?itok=55rOrfIh)
Walks from Allendale Caravan Park
![River East Allen © NPAP/Shane Harris River East Allen © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp058.jpg?itok=vYYf0rAs)
Waterfalls and wildlife walk: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden High Force © DCC/Mike Ogden](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp077.jpg?itok=KCbxAI_v)
Weardale Way - White Kirkley to Wolsingham
![View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy View over Harehope Quarry © NPAP/Gearoid Murphy](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp083.jpg?itok=nVRDEkEi)
Wearhead: The River Wear starts here
![Brown Hare © Brian Rafferty/www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer.blogspot.co.uk/ Brown Hare © Brian Rafferty/www.brianraffertywildlifephotographer.blogspot.co.uk/](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp064.jpg?itok=7FCxF-4z)
Wellhope Moor (Nent Valley): North Pennine Birdwalks - Walk 9
![Grey partridge © NPAP Grey partridge © NPAP](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp010_0.jpg?itok=WnggNTDn)
Whitesyke and Bentyfield Mine
![Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker Whitsyke and Bentyfield mine © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp101.jpg?itok=DneOXfpC)
Widdybank Fell Nature Trail: Moor House-Upper Teesdale NNR
![Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker Cow Green Reservoir © NPAP/Beck Baker](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp076.jpg?itok=8uVkjaco)
Wild Brown Trout - Cow Green Reservoir
![Preparing the net © NPAP/Shane Harris Preparing the net © NPAP/Shane Harris](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/enp074.jpg?itok=rFPQjN-V)
Wild North Discovery
![Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery Wild North Discovery © Wild North Discovery](https://explorenorthpennines.org.uk/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/activity/images/_10.jpg?itok=gro1K41Y)