NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUST
Nearest Town: Seaton Burn
OS Map: NZ227734 (OS 50 000 Sheet 88)
This 20ha SSSI and LNR site is the largest subsidence pond in the region.
Location and access: There is a car park at the entrance to the site. To get there drive under the A1 flyover, west of the B1318 in Wideopen and through Brunswick Village, turning right after the last house. The reserve is entered from the car park via a path that meets the public right of way from the access road just south of the car park.
Big Waters is the largest subsidence pond in the region and the site is managed to maintain its associated flora and fauna. Medieval rigg and furrow grassland supports many herbs including pepper saxifrage. On the pond shore grows emergent and fen vegetation, together with planted and natural areas of carr with willow and alder. There is a plantation of downy birch and alder in the south-western corner and small ponds with good amphibian populations. However, the main interest of the site is for birdwatching, particularly in winter when you can see waterfowl such as goldeneye, as well as a variety of woodland birds. Breeding birds include mute swan, common tern, and tree sparrow. There is a public hide on City Council land and two members’ hides (keys available from the Wildlife Trust office). There are also bird feeding stations and a pond dipping platform. Volunteer wardens are often on site.