This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (March 2022) |
Baldersdale Woodlands is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Teesdale district of south-west County Durham, England. It consists primarily of ancient, semi-natural woodland growing on steep valley slopes, including scree, on both banks of the River Balder over a stretch of some 3 km, upstream (i.e. west) of the village of Cotherstone. The site has a rich faunal assemblage and the woodland and associated stretch of the river is home to a variety of birds, including dipper and goosander. [1]
| Baldersdale Woodlands | |
|---|---|
  Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
| Location | MAGiC MaP |
| Nearest town | Barnard Castle |
| Coordinates | 54°34′32″N 2°0′47″W / 54.57556°N 2.01306°W |
| Area | 19.6 ha (48 acres) |
| Established | 1991 |
| Governing body | Natural England |
| Website | Baldersdale Woodlands SSSI |
In part, the site derives its importance from the proximity of similarly protected sites in other valleys in the River Tees catchment area; the Shipley and Great Woods SSSI occupies a similar position in the valley of the Tees immediately north of Cotherstone.[citation needed]
The condition of the site was last assessed by Natural England in September 2009, when it was mostly rated as "favourable"; a small area, just over 10 percent of the total area, is suffering from cattle grazing but was rated as "recovering".[citation needed]
References
edit- ^ "Baldersdale Woodlands SSSI : Reasons for designating the SSSI status" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 1 March 2022.