KEY PLACES
IN WEST CUMBRIA
Click on a site on the map to take you to its details
The coastline from Millom
to Carlisle stretches for over 80 miles (130 km). Trapped between the Irish
Sea and the Lakeland Fells, the West Cumberland Plain holds numerous diverse
wildlife habitats. It is mostly low lying, but where the hills meet the
sea at St. Bees Head the highest cliffs on England's west coast occur.
1.
ROCKCLIFFE CWT SALT MARSH
An area of saltmarsh between the estuaries of the
rivers Esk and Eden that is important for both breeding and wintering birds.
•
Back to map
2.
FINGLANDRIGG WOOD NNR MIXED HABITATS
12 miles west of Carlisle this is a mosaic of unimproved habitats including
woodland, scrub, bog, heath and acid grassland. There are good breeding
birds and notable insects and the red squirrel population has been the
subject of conservation research into the species.
•
Back to map
3.
DRUMBURGH MOSS CWT RAISED MIRE
This raised mire is bisected by a disused railway line.
Plant species present are typical of raised bog (bog rosemary, asphodel,
sundew) and there are numerous species of sphagnum moss. Birds are typically
moorland species, with Red Grouse, Partridge, Twite, and Whinchat all
possible. Adders, Hares, newts and deer add to the varied fauna of the
reserve.
•
Back to map
4.
WEDHOLME FLOW SSSI RAISED MIRE
An area near Glasson Moss that is much more extensive.
By blocking drainage channels the area is being restored to former water
levels.
•
Back to map
5.
BOWNESS ON SOLWAY CWT OLD GRAVEL PITS
A small site adjacent to Campfield Marsh comprising
old gravel workings that have been recolonised over many years to provide
a variety of habitats. There are permanent and seasonal pools with good
amphibian populations and the scrub and shrubs are used by both breeding
and migrating birds.
• Back to map 6. GLASSON
MOSS NNR RAISED BOG
This is the best preserved of the Solway Mosses with
a typical moss carpet and flora and notable bryophytes and invertebrates.
• Back to map 7. CAMPFIELD
FARM RSPB MARSH
Campfield Farm (now an RSPB centre for observing the
marsh) provides good views over the Solway, as does the road between Drumburgh
and Cardurnock. Barnacle and Pink-footed geese build up in March before
departing to their breeding grounds in April.
• Back to map 8. GRUNE
POINT & MORICAMBE BAY SHINGLE SPIT
Grune Point, on the south side of Moricambe Bay, is
a shingle promontory with mixed scrub cover of gorse, thorns and bramble.
Because of this it is a well known place for spotting migrating birds,
including rarities, during spring and autumn, especially early in the
morning.
• Back to map 9.
SIDDICK POND LNR POOL & REEDBED
This area of open water fringed with reeds lies between
a railway line, main road and colliery waste tip. In dry spells an area
of mud is popular with passage waders, while the surrounding scrub and
willow offers cover. In winter several owl species may be present and
during winter gales divers, grebes and Smew have been recorded. In autumn
the Starling roosts are spectacular and attract birds of prey. Bitterns
regularly overwinter in the reedbeds.
• Back to map 10.
DUBBS MOSS CWT FEN WOODLAND
A small reserve lying in a hollow to the SW of Cockermouth.
It comprises fen, scrub and woodland, which provide habitat for many songbirds,
including Willow Tit, Whitethroat, Garden Warbler and Redpoll. Cleared
areas are favoured by springtime plants, including one or two of the more
common orchid species.
• Back to map 11.
BASSENTHWAITE SSSI LAKE & BOG
The relatively undisturbed south end of this large
lake has shingle banks and islands and Braithwaite bog, which is an unusual
mix of mire, reed, alder and birch. During the winter a good mix of wildfowl
species is usually present and birds of prey hunt over the bog. Water
Rails are resident and in summer Yellow Wagtail and Grasshopper Warbler
are the highlights, together with fishing Osprey.
• Back to map 12. MOCKERIN
TARN OPEN WATER
This small tarn close to Mockerin village to the NW
of Loweswater turns up interesting birds from time to time.
• Back to map 13.
BOATHOUSE FIELD CWT FIELD & WOODLAND
A tiny reserve with frontage to Derwentwater comprises
two fields of rough grassland with a good mix of berry-bearing trees to
provide shelter and food for small birds.
• Back to map 14.
HIGH LEYS NNR NORTHERN HAYMEADOW
An unimproved hay meadow and pasture near Rowrah village
with a well preserved hay meadow managed by traditional hay-making and
grazing methods.
• Back to map 15.
CLINTS QUARRY CWT LIMESTONE QUARRY
This large limestone quarry (and spoil banks) has been
extensively colonised since extraction of stone ceased over sixty years
ago. The flora is wide ranging and typical of limestone grassland and
scrub, which encourages a higher than average number of butterfly species
for the west coast.
• Back to map 16.
ST. BEES HEAD RSPB SEA CLIFFS
The red sandstone cliffs of North and South Head rise
either side of Fleswick Bay and provide nesting for a large seabird colony
(early June is a good time to visit). Gulls, Guillemot, Razorbill and
Kittiwake predominate, but a few pairs of Puffin and Black Guillemot may
be seen. Sea-watching can be productive with Manx Shearwater, Gannet and
Fulmar all regular and divers, sea duck and petrels possible. Peregrine
are attracted to the cliffs, even out of the breeding season because of
the feral pigeons. Bottle-nosed Dolphin and Seals often occur off the
coast.
• Back to map 17.
HALSENNA MOOR NNR RAISED BOG & HEATH
This is the largest bog and heath on the west Cumbria
plain and has been left undisturbed without grazing or burning. It is
noted for its beetles.
• Back to map 18.
ESKMEALS DUNES CWT SAND DUNE SYSTEM
A shingle peninsula on the south side of the Ravenglass
Estuary having an extensive dune system. Owned by the M.O.D. it is one
of the best untrampled and unspoiled sand dune systems in Britain. There
is a typical flora, good butterflies, and an important colony of Natterjack
Toads. Areas of Sea Buckthorn provide shelter for migrant birds and berries
for thrushes in the autumn. The adjacent estuary has resident birds and
good numbers of passage waders in spring and autumn.
• Back to map 19.
NORTH FEN NNR REEDBED AND FEN
A tiny reserve at the north end of Esthwaite Water
showing the succession from open water, through reed bed and fen, to woodland.
Extensively studied and researched.
• Back to map 20.
ASH LANDING NT MIXED WOOD & MEADOW
This former nursery, 3 miles south of Hawkshead on
the shore of Lake Windermere, is surrounded by a shelter belt of trees.
Partly planted, with man-made ponds, the site is now managed as a showcase
for management techniques. One meadow is naturally acidic, while another
has been extensively limed. A stream has been damned to provide a marshy
area suitable for bog plants. Because of the diverse habitats in such
a small area the site has a wealth of plant, animal and insect species.
• Back to map 21.
DUDDON VALLEY WOODS SSI ANCIENT WOODLAND
The woodlands clothing the lower reaches of the Duddon
Valley and the old iron forge are rich in wildlife. Specialities are spring
birds, dormice, and wild daffodils.
• Back to map 22.
HODBARROW RSPB OLD IRON WORKINGS
This former industrial site has lime waste tips,
lagoons and scrub, which have become a rich habitat for plants (notably
a large colony of Bee Orchids) and insects, an important passage site
for birds, and breeding areas for Sandwich, Little and Common Terns.
• Back to map
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION ON HABITATS VISIT:
|
