Wildlife at Hamsterley

 

Mammals: We can no longer see the red squirrel at Hamsterley since it has been squeezed out by the more versatile grey squirrel but we can spot lots of other interesting wildlife. The deer at Hamsterley are roe deer. Other mammals of interest are the water shrew and the otters that inhabit the banks of the becks running through the heart of the forest. There are also badger setts in the forest. We have information about Roe deer, Badger and Otter

Birds: Hamsterley is a great forest for birds of prey. Principle species resident here include the goshawk, buzzard, merlin, sparrowhawk and kestrel. Osprey and hen harrier have been sighted though they tend to be visitors rather than residents. Green and great-spotted woodpeckers can be seen in the wooded valleys along with nuthatch, treecreeper, dipper, redwing, fieldfare and grey wagtail. Wood warbler and Pied flycatchers visit Hamsterley in summer while crossbills overwinter here, feeding on the cone crop alongside siskins. You may catch a glimpse of some resident game birds-red and black grouse-and you are certain to see pheasant around the forest. The nocturnal nightjar has made many of our clear fell and young plantation areas its home. In early summer you can hear the male churring, punctuated by the calls of woodcock and tawny owls. We have information about Nightjar, Black grouse and Red kite

Insects and reptiles: Adders are our only snakes and you may also spot the odd slow-worm, a legless lizard. Common lizards can be seen in warm weather basking on the paths and low walls. Glow-worms are resident in Hamsterley, the females glowing in the grass at night while the males fly around seeking them out. The forest roads and rides are ideal habitats for many butterflies. Species of interest include ringlet and dark-green fritillary as well as brimstone. There are also a a number of rare sawflies and hoverflies in the forest. We have information about Adder

Habitats: Hamsterley's varied geography means that there is a rich variety of habitats. Hamsterley contains what is reputed to be England's highest beech wood at 350m and has a flower meadow lower in the valley designated as a site of special scientific interest (SSSI). Hamsterley is well known in the region for its range of fungi, come on one of our Fungal Forays to find out more. Other plants of interest to be found here include alpine clubmoss, chickweed wintergreen, common wintergreen, musk and lesser skullcap.There are rare ferns associated with oak and beech as well as butterwort and rare grasses.
Frogwood Bog is an important habitat for plants such as bog asphodel.
We also have juniper growing in the forest-you may recognise the smell of the berries, they are the main ingredient in gin! We have information about Lowland bog

How to get there:
Hamsterley Forest sits wedged between Teesdale and Weardale in the heart of beautiful Durham Dales, approximately 10 miles (16 km) west of Bishop Auckland.
By Public Transport
The forest is not served directly by public transport services. The nearest village on a bus route is Hamsterley, two miles to the south of the forest entrance. The walk from the forest to Hamsterley village is on a public road with no designated pedestrian walkway. From the village, you can travel on service number 88 (Arriva) to Bishop Auckland bus station, a journey that takes roughly 20 minutes. Bishop Auckland has a railway station that connects with the East Coast mainline at Darlington.
By car
The forest is signposted off the A68, north of West Auckland. Cars are charged £3 each on the Forest Drive to access the Forest and it’s facilities (there is no charge for visitors on foot).

Local Weather Forecast (Multimap)

Enter through:
Hamsterley Forest Visitor Centre

Activities:

Contact:
Neil Taylor
Ranger
01388 488312
e-mail: neil.taylor@forestry.gsi.gov.uk