Tyne Watersmeet

Also within

Northumberland County

Condition (Natural England)

Climate exposure

This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.

Habitats

Fast flowing river and stream

Geology & landscape

Geological Feature: River Terrace, Rock Outcrop · Rock Type: Alluvium

Landscape processes: Coastal, Fluvial

Description

Area, 23.7 ha. 58.6 ac. Description Watersmeet, at the confluence of the rivers North and South Tyne, is an area of diverse habitats of particular interest for its invertebrate fauna, being regarded as one of the best sites in north east England for ground beetles. The varied flora also includes some uncommon plants. The plant communities vary in structure and species composition, both important factors contributing to the diversity of insects. The woodlands include types dominated by native species; oak Quercus sp., birch Betula sp. and wych elm Ulmus glabra and others with introduced species including beech Fagus sylvatica, sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus, horse chestnut Aesculus hippocastanum, grey poplar Populus candicans and riverside willow Salix spp. and alder Alnus glutinosa communities. The ground flora includes the locally rare yellow star of Bethlehem Gagea lutea and clustered bellflower Campanula glomerata as well as many characteristic woodland species including dog’s mercury Mercurialis perennis, wood melick Melica uniflora, wood millet Milium effusum and great wood rush Luzula sylvatica which are locally dominant. A periodically flooded riverside rock outcrop supports an unusual ground flora assemblage beneath a variety of willow shrubs which includes dyer’s greenweed Genista tinctoria, globe flower Trollius europaeus and wild basil Clinopodium vulgare. An abandoned river terrace supports a short turf of plants, typical of river deposits contaminated by heavy metals, with spring sandwort Minuartia verna, thrift Armeria maritima and meadow oat grass Avenula pratensis. The most significant invertebrate records are for the variety of specialised beetles and uncommon species of flies and moths. Of particular note is the community of beetles adapted to life on the alluvium and unstable sand river banks, these include several ground beetles; Bembidion testaceum, Bembidion monticola, Philorhizus notatus , Philorhizus melanocephalus and a dung beetle, Psammoporus insularis. Another insect rich habitat is the grey poplar woodland where two weevils, Dorytomus tremula, a nationally rare species and D. tortrix are found along with caterpillars of the sprawler moth Asteroscopus sphinx. Two hoverflies Cheilosia antiqua and C. impressa, both unusual in the north are found in herb rich grassland. Other rare species include Tropiphorus obtusus a large weevil which feeds on dog’s mercury and two ground beetles, Pterostichus cristatus which is characteristic of mixed woodland with its main centre of distribution in North East England and Lebia chlorocephala, usually a coastal species in the north, the larvae of which are parasitic on Chrysolina politaa leaf beetle. Other Information This site is listed in the Invertebrate Site Register as being of regional importance for invertebrate conservation.

Species mentioned

Plant communities