Bollihope, Pikestone, Eggleston and Woodland Fells

Bollihope, Pikestone, Eggleston and Woodland Fells
Site of Special Scientific Interest
LocationMAGiC MaP
Nearest townStanhope, County Durham
Coordinates54°39′56″N 1°59′35″W / 54.66556°N 1.99306°W / 54.66556; -1.99306
Area7,949.19 ha (30.6920 sq mi)
Established1996
Governing bodyNatural England
WebsiteBollihope, Pikestone, Eggleston and Woodland Fells SSSI

Bollihope, Pikestone, Eggleston and Woodland Fells is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in County Durham, England. It covers a broad expanse of moorland to the north and east of Middleton-in-Teesdale.

The site has a diverse mix of habitats, mainly dry heath, with wet heath and blanket-mire in areas that are poorly drained.[1]

The SSSI, which is situated within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, shares a common boundary with the Upper Teesdale SSSI to the west, and adjoins Hamsterley Forest on three sides.

The area supports breeding populations of a number of species of birds that are listed in the United Kingdom's Red Data Book (Birds), including three—merlin, Eurasian golden plover and short-eared owl—that are listed in Annex 1 of the European Commission's Birds Directive as requiring special protection. The flora of the area includes a number of species that are scarce locally or nationally. [1]

References

  1. ^ a b "Bollihope, Pikestone, Eggleston and Woodland Fells SSSI : Reasons for designating the SSSI status" (PDF). Natural England. Retrieved 1 March 2022.