Rainton Meadows Nature Reserve has developed as a result of the restoration of the former Rye Hill
Opencast coal mine by UK Coal Ltd in partnership with Durham Wildlife Trust and the City of Sunderland.
Restoration has created an interlinked series of ponds and scrapes, newly re-seeded grasslands and a larger area of new woodland all linked by an extensive footpath network.
The new ponds and scrapes have been constructed to varying depths and small scale planting with native marginal vegetation including rushes and reeds is complementing natural colonisation from surrounding wetlands. Woodland planting commenced in 1996 and involved mostly native species to create Oak and Hazel woodland and Willow and Alder carr woodland. The habitats on the reserve complement those found at Joe's Pond Nature Reserve and both sites can be enjoyed in one visit.
The new wetlands and grasslands are proving highly attractive to birdlife, with over 200 species recorded.
Regular sightings include Redshank,Oystercatcher, Lapwing and large numbers of breeding Skylark. All five species of owl present in the region have been recorded. Water Voles have been recorded in the ponds and connecting watercourses and Brown Hare are seen frequently in the grasslands.The reserve attracts large numbe
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Every effort is made to make sure that all the information is correct but we strongly recommend that you call Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond before you set off on your day out to confirm opening times and admission prices.
Please also note that the position on Google maps for Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond is a rough estimate using their postcode in the database and might be slightly out.
It may also be worth clicking the web link for Rainton Meadows and Joe's Pond to see if there are any special events coming up or currently on.
Down at the Farm