by Martin Blick
Apart from the River Tees, this is the longest section of tidal river in Cleveland. It is principally 3 streams that start near the Cleveland boundary, at the N end of Wynyard, near to Crookfoot Reservoir and at Elwick respectively. They flow approximately SE and meet beside the railway embankment between Greatham and Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, then flow E through several big meanders, under the Greatham Creek bridge on A178 and on to Seal Sands.
Access to view Greatham Creek is limited. The best option is to park in the Cowpen Marsh car park (NZ507252) and walk N along the path to a viewing screen beside the bridge. The screen is in the best position to view the many seals that haul out just inland of the A178 bridge, but there are usually good numbers of birds to be seen here throughout the year. The raised bank that is the footpath to the Seal Sands hide also provides views of the creek. The area of Greatham Creek beside the railway embankment, about 1 and 1/2 miles inland of the bridge, can be viewed distantly from the top of the hill in Cowpen Bewley Woodland Park, but relatively few birds use this section.
When the tides are high, the entire length of Greatham Creek, between its 2 banks is flooded, but this only happens 4-5 times per month. When low tides are at their lowest, especially if there has been little or no rainfall, the creek is only a few inches deep inland of the road bridge.
Large numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Curlew, Lapwing and Redshank gather along the creek at times, with more unusual waders such as Greenshank, Whimbrel, Black and Bar-tailed Godwits, Green Sandpiper and Golden Plover. Because the area is so undisturbed, it is one of the most reliable sites for Short-eared Owl in winter, and Marsh Harrier in summer and autumn. Rarer birds seen include Buff-breasted, Pectoral, Sharp-tailed and White-rumped Sandpipers, Great White Egret, Spoonbill and Green-winged Teal.
October 2019