[1] It was created by the Teesside Development Corporation[2] and is owned and run by the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust.

Portrack Marsh Nature Reserve is located on the opposite bank of the River Tees.

The area has a slag-based soil and is ideal for plants that grow in limestone and chalk meadows.

[9] Insects to be found include damselfly, dingy skipper, grasshopper, grayling, ringlet, six-spot burnet moth and small copper.

[2][7][10][11] The birds which are known to nest or visit include blackcap, common chaffinch, grasshopper warbler, grey partridge, kingfisher, sand martin, skylark and sparrowhawk.