Barmston Pond was the first Local Nature
Reserve declared by Sunderland Council in 1993.
The pond is especially important for birds. The
best time of year to visit the site is in autumn when waders
frequently stop to feed on their migration south.
Highlights of 2004 include wood sandpiper, green sandpiper, ruff,
redshank, bar-tailed godwit and a juvenile black-neckedgrebe.
A variety of birds are present all year round,
including little grebe, grey heron, snipe and black-headed gull, and
in winter, wigeon, teal, mallard and pochard.
Spring is a busy time for nesting birds like the little grebe but
also for smaller species such as willow tit, reed bunting,
whitethroat, sedge warbler and chiffchaff, who use the nearby
hedgerows and woodland.
The meadow areas are managed for wildflowers, insects
and other animal life. In spring you can see flowers such as
early purple orchid and selfheal.
In summer, meadow sweet and birdsfoot trefoil provide
nectar for butterflies such as orange tip and red admiral.
Damselfies and dragonflies are sometimes seen on the meadow fence
near the bird hides and flying around.
When visiting your Local Nature Reserve
please keep to the surfaced paths and lane around the site. To
help protect the wildlife there is no public access to the ponds or
meadows.
Barmston Pond
LNR is located just off Nissan Way, Washington. Please do not
confuse with Willow Pond in Barmston Village. From the A1231
Washington/Sunderland Highway take the Wildfowl and Wetland Trust
junction and turn onto Nissan Way, NZ328572. Car Parking is available. Local buses from Washington and
Sunderland stop on Pattinson Road (District 15).
(For
further information, please contact the Wildspace Volunteer
Co-ordinator
on (0191) 553 8774 or e-mail wildspace@sunderland.gov.uk
