Allen Confluence Gravels
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 River Allen from Cupola bridge showing the northern extent of the SSSI | |
  Location within Northumberland | |
| Location | Northumberland |
|---|---|
| Grid reference | NY800587 |
| Coordinates | 54°55′22″N 2°18′43″W / 54.92284°N 2.31191°WCoordinates: 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]
Location and natural features[]
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 ( and ) are found in areas having partially vegetated sandy banks. The water beetle is found in the muddy water margin.[2]
The ground beetle Clivina collaris is found on flatter areas of the site, together with , a money spider found under stones. On higher parts of sandy banks are found , a small chafer and , another money spider.[2]
Shingle fauna includes Bembidion monticola and , species of ground beetle; , a small click beetle; Arctosa cinerea, a large wolf spider and , 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, found only in Northumberland and Durham; and a number of rare spiders including .[2]
Alpine penny-cress (Thlaspi alpestre) 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]
See also[]
References[]
- ^ a b "MAGIC Map Application - Allen Confluence Gravels". DEFRA MAGIC Map. DEFRA.
- ^ a b c d e f "Allen Confluence Gravels SSSI Citation" (PDF). Natural England.
- ^ "Condition of SSSI Units for Site Allen Confluence Gravels". Natural England. 29 November 2010.
External links[]
- Natural England SSSI record for Allen Confluence Gravels
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Northumberland
- Sites of Special Scientific Interest notified in 1968