What is it like?

Rainton Meadows is a wetland which was developed from the restoration of an opencast coal mine by UK Coal, Durham Wildlife Trust and the City of Sunderland. There are a number of small ponds, meadows and newly planted woodlands.

Joe's Pond is a part of the Rainton Meadows reserve and is a deep pond on the site of an old clay pit. It was established by Joe Wilson, a coal miner, who rented the pond from the National Coal Board and planted new trees and created habitats for wildlife.

What plants and animals can be seen there?

Both reserves are very attractive to birds, including redshank, oystercatcher, lapwing and skylark. Water birds such as teal, pochard, tufted duck, great crested grebe and mute swan can be seen on Joe's Pond.

Rainton Meadows attracts large numbers of dragonflies and many butterflies, which include small heath, large skipper and wall brown. Water creatures such as water scorpion and water spider live in Joe's Pond, as well as amphibians like smooth newts, toads and frogs.

Water voles have been recorded in the ponds and streams, and brown hare are often seen in the grasslands. Roe deer and foxes can be also be spotted.

Several wild flower meadows have been created, supporting plants including the northern marsh and common spotted orchids.

Why is it special?

Joe's Pond is an example of how a derelict site can be transformed into wildlife sanctuary rich in many species of animals and plants.

What facilities are there?

Rainton Meadows is the headquarters for Durham Wildlife Trust. There is a visitor centre with shop, toilets, information displays, an education centre, conference room and car park. There is an accessible toilet, and access is available to the lakeshore and bird hide. Joe's Pond is a short walk from the visitor centre.

Where is it?

By car: Rainton Meadows is just south of Houghton-le-Spring and can be found by following the brown signs from the A690.

By bus: The services 220 and 222 leave from Park Lane, in Sunderland, and Durham bus station, and set down at the Mill Inn. The entrance to the reserve is a short walk from here under the A690 and continuing on until you reach the last roundabout of the industrial estate, and then along Mallard Way.

More information: Durham Wildlife Trust