A BUSY programme of events has been organised to help visitors get the most out of their trip to the upper dale.
The mammals, plant life and geology of landscape will come under the spotlight thanks to staff and volunteers of the Natural England Moor House National Nature Reserve, which covers 8,800 hectares of upland.
Natural England’s Adam Millington said outdoor enthusiasts were in for a treat.
“This very special protected landscape encompasses an almost complete range of upland habitats typical of the North Pennines, from lower lying hay meadows, rough grazing and juniper woods to limestone grassland, blanket bogs and the summit heaths of the high fells.
“Nowhere else in Britain is there such a diversity of rare habitats in one location.”
To help visitors appreciate their surroundings, an event titled A Cronkley Round takes place on Tuesday, July 6, from 11am to 4pm, when volunteers John Worsnop will lead an eight-mile walk across Cronkley Fell and back along the Tees through alpine flora, upland hay meadow and juniper woods.
On Thursday August 5, from 10am to 3pm, another of the reserve’s volunteers, Jo Hayes, will lead a 7.5-mile Waterfalls and Wildlife walk from Low Force to High Force.
On Friday, August 20, from 7.30pm to 10.30pm, the reserve joins forces with the North Pennines AONB Partnership for Creatures of the Night at the Bowlees Visitor Centre, when the hunt will be on for moths, bats and other night time flyers.
The mammals of upper Teesdale will be the subject of a family event on Saturday, September 25, from 2pm to 5pm, again in partnership with the AONB, when visitors will go exploring around the Bowlees Visitor Centre for footprints and also checking camera traps.
Events conclude on Sunday, October 3 with a Fungus Foray, led by mycologist Gordon Beakes. Taking place from 10am to 3pm, he will head out from the Bowlees Visitor Centre to see how many species of fungi can be uncovered.
Booking is essential for all events. For more details, contact the reserve base on 01833 622374 or email adam. millington@naturalengland. org.uk. A leaflet containing details is also available.
Meanwhile, the reserve is also taking part in this year’s Heritage Open Days.
On Saturday, September 11, and Sunday, September 12, from 11am to 3pm, visitors are invited to drop in to Wynch Bridge End cottage for a display on archaeology in upper Teesdale, with a talk at 1.30pm from experts at Altogether Archaeology each day.
There will also be a four-mile guided walk from 10.30am to 1pm on both days to see traces of how people lived and used the upper Teesdale landscape.
