Baldersdale Woodlands facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Baldersdale Woodlands
Baldersdale Woodlands Location in County Durham
Location	Teesdale, North East, England
Area	19.6 ha (48 acres)
Established	1991
Governing body	Natural England
Website	Map of site

Baldersdale Woodlands is a very special natural area in County Durham, England. It is found in the south-west part of the county, near the Teesdale area. This beautiful spot is mainly made up of old, natural forests. These trees grow on the steep sides of a valley. The River Balder flows through this valley. The woodlands stretch for about 3 kilometers (nearly 2 miles) along both sides of the river. This is upstream, or west, of the village of Cotherstone.

This area is protected because it has many different kinds of animals. The woodlands and the river are home to a variety of birds. These include the dipper, which is a bird that dives into rivers, and the goosander, a type of duck.

Baldersdale Woodlands: A Special Place

Baldersdale Woodlands is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place that is very important for its plants, animals, or geology. The government protects these sites to make sure they stay healthy.

What Makes Baldersdale Woodlands Special?

The woodlands here are very old. They are called "ancient, semi-natural woodland." This means the forest has been there for a very long time. It has grown mostly on its own, without much help from people. The trees grow on steep slopes, and you can also find areas of scree. Scree is a pile of broken rocks at the bottom of a cliff or slope.

The River Balder is a key part of this area. It flows through the valley, providing a home for many creatures. The river and the surrounding forest create a perfect habitat.

Wildlife in the Woodlands

Baldersdale Woodlands is a great place for wildlife. It has a "rich faunal assemblage." This means there are many different types of animals living here.

• Birds: You can spot birds like the dipper. This small bird is amazing because it can walk underwater in fast-flowing rivers to find food. The goosander is another bird you might see. It's a large duck that also fishes in the river.
• Other Animals: While the text highlights birds, woodlands like this often support many other animals. These can include small mammals, insects, and amphibians.

Why This Area is Important

Baldersdale Woodlands is important on its own. But its value is even greater because it's close to other protected areas. For example, the Shipley and Great Woods SSSI is nearby. It's in the valley of the River Tees, just north of Cotherstone. Having several protected sites close together helps wildlife move between them. It also creates a larger network of safe habitats. This is good for the overall health of the environment.

Looking After the Woodlands

Natural England is an organization that helps protect natural areas in England. They check on sites like Baldersdale Woodlands regularly. In September 2009, they checked the condition of this site. Most of the area was in "favourable" condition. This means it was healthy and thriving.

A small part of the woodland, about 10 percent, was having a problem with cattle grazing. This means cows were eating too much of the plants. However, this area was rated as "recovering." This shows that efforts were being made to fix the problem. Protecting these areas helps keep them beautiful and full of life for everyone to enjoy.