Fallowlees Flush

Fallowlees Flush is the name given to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in mid-Northumberland, England. The steeply sloping site has calcium-rich springs supporting vegetation rare in the county.[1][2]

Fallowlees Flush
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Location within Northumberland
Area of SearchNorthumberland
Grid referenceNZ 030937
Coordinates55.236901°N 1.952576°W / 55.236901; -1.952576
InterestBiological
Area2.4 hectares (5.9 acres)
Notification1990
Location mapDEFRA MAGIC map
Natural England website

Location and natural features

Fallowlees Flush is situated in the north-east of England in the county of Northumberland, to the west of Fontburn Reservoir and the east of Harwood Forest, 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi) west-north-west of Netherwitton and 4.5 kilometres (2.8 mi) east-south-east of Forestburn Gate. The 2.4 hectares (5.9 acres) site is situated on a north-east facing slope descending from 210 metres (690 ft) to 190 metres (620 ft), above sea level above a stream feeding the reservoir.[1][2]

Flora

Flora on the site grades from species rich areas fed by lime-rich springs, through to a wooded fringe by the stream. The SSSI citation sets out four distinct groups of vegetation.[2]

Moss-donimated turf dominates areas where springs arise, and are characterised by stonewort (Charales), flea-sedge (Carex pulicaris), tawny sedge (Carex hostiana), long-stalked yellow-sedge (Carex lepidocarpa) and broad-leaved cottongrass (Eriophorum latifolium).[2]

A wider area is influenced by the springs, and in addition to the sedges and cottongrass, supports dioecious sedge (Carex dioica), marsh lousewort (Pedicularis palustris), creeping willow (Salix repens), devil's-bit scabious (Succisa pratensis), purple moor-grass (Molinia caerulea), marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), jointed rush (Juncus articulatus) as well as common butterwort (Pinguicula vulgaris), grass-of-Parnassus (Parnassia palustris), marsh valerian (Valeriana dioica), and early marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata).[2]

More acidic areas of the site support water plants such as oval sedge (Carex ovalis) and star sedge (Carex echinata), as well as greater amounts of jointed rush.[2]

Woodland areas by the stream are composed of alder (Alnus glutinosa), downy birch (Betula pubescens) and hazel (Corylus avellana). Ground flora in the woodland area includes tufted hair-grass (Deschampsia cespitosa), water avens (Geum rivale), wood crane’s-bill (Geranium sylvaticum) and a substantial stand of lesser pond-sedge (Carex acutiformis).[2]

The condition of Fallowlees Flush was judged to be favourable in 2011, with some concerns about bracken encroachment noted.[3]

See also

References
  1. "MAGIC Map Application - Fallowlees Flush". DEFRA MAGIC Map. DEFRA.
  2. "Fallowlees Flush SSSI Citation" (PDF). Natural England.
  3. "Condition of SSSI Units for Site Fallowlees Flush". Natural England. 26 June 2012.
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