Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
![]() River Allen from Cupola bridge showing the northern extent of the SSSI | |
Location | Northumberland |
---|---|
Grid reference | NY800587 |
Coordinates | 54°55′22″N 2°18′43″W / 54.92284°N 2.31191°W |
Interest | Biological |
Area | 4.9 hectares (12 acres) |
Notification | 1968 |
Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Natural England website |
The Allen Confluence Gravels is the name given to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northumberland, England. The site, listed since 1968, has an 'outstanding assemblage of river margin invertebrates.' [1] [2]
The Allen Confluence Gravels site is situated in the north-east of England, at the confluence of the River West Allen and River East Allen as they transition into the River Allen, some 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the village of Allendale in the south-west of the Northumberland. [1]
The site is listed for its outstandingly diverse habitat for river-margin invertebrates. The site has a number of distinct habitat areas, including consolidated sand and shingle, well vegetated and rarely flooded; unstable shingle and sand banks subject to regular flooding; and damp woodland. Two species of rare ground beetles ( Bembidion schueppeli and B. litorale) are found in areas having partially vegetated sandy banks. The water beetle Helophorus arvernicus is found in the muddy water margin. [2]
The ground beetle Clivina collaris is found on flatter areas of the site, together with Caviphantes saxetorum, a money spider found under stones. On higher parts of sandy banks are found Aegalia sabuleti, a small chafer and Diplocephalus protuberans, another money spider. [2]
Shingle fauna includes Bembidion monticola and B. stomoides, species of ground beetle; Fleutiauxellus maritimus, a small click beetle; Arctosa cinerea, a large wolf spider and Diplocephalus connatus, a money spider found in Britain only at this and one other north-east site. [2]
The site's damp woodland supports a number of uncommon moths including Acasis viretata, the yellow-tarred brindle; Aporophyla nigra, the black rustic; and Idaea straminata, the plain wave moth. It also supports a ground beetle, Pterostichus cristatus found only in Northumberland and Durham; and a number of rare spiders including Centromerus persimilis. [2]
Alpine penny-cress ( Noccaea caerulescens) found at the site indicates heavy metal contamination of the river probably arising from mineral mines in the river's catchment area. [2]
The condition of Allen Confluence Gravels was judged to be favourable in 2010, although concern was expressed about the incidence of Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera). [3]
Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
![]() River Allen from Cupola bridge showing the northern extent of the SSSI | |
Location | Northumberland |
---|---|
Grid reference | NY800587 |
Coordinates | 54°55′22″N 2°18′43″W / 54.92284°N 2.31191°W |
Interest | Biological |
Area | 4.9 hectares (12 acres) |
Notification | 1968 |
Location map | DEFRA MAGIC map |
Natural England website |
The Allen Confluence Gravels is the name given to a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in Northumberland, England. The site, listed since 1968, has an 'outstanding assemblage of river margin invertebrates.' [1] [2]
The Allen Confluence Gravels site is situated in the north-east of England, at the confluence of the River West Allen and River East Allen as they transition into the River Allen, some 3 miles (4.8 km) north-west of the village of Allendale in the south-west of the Northumberland. [1]
The site is listed for its outstandingly diverse habitat for river-margin invertebrates. The site has a number of distinct habitat areas, including consolidated sand and shingle, well vegetated and rarely flooded; unstable shingle and sand banks subject to regular flooding; and damp woodland. Two species of rare ground beetles ( Bembidion schueppeli and B. litorale) are found in areas having partially vegetated sandy banks. The water beetle Helophorus arvernicus is found in the muddy water margin. [2]
The ground beetle Clivina collaris is found on flatter areas of the site, together with Caviphantes saxetorum, a money spider found under stones. On higher parts of sandy banks are found Aegalia sabuleti, a small chafer and Diplocephalus protuberans, another money spider. [2]
Shingle fauna includes Bembidion monticola and B. stomoides, species of ground beetle; Fleutiauxellus maritimus, a small click beetle; Arctosa cinerea, a large wolf spider and Diplocephalus connatus, a money spider found in Britain only at this and one other north-east site. [2]
The site's damp woodland supports a number of uncommon moths including Acasis viretata, the yellow-tarred brindle; Aporophyla nigra, the black rustic; and Idaea straminata, the plain wave moth. It also supports a ground beetle, Pterostichus cristatus found only in Northumberland and Durham; and a number of rare spiders including Centromerus persimilis. [2]
Alpine penny-cress ( Noccaea caerulescens) found at the site indicates heavy metal contamination of the river probably arising from mineral mines in the river's catchment area. [2]
The condition of Allen Confluence Gravels was judged to be favourable in 2010, although concern was expressed about the incidence of Himalayan balsam ( Impatiens glandulifera). [3]