NORTHUMBERLAND WILDLIFE TRUST
Nearest Town: Haydon Bridge
OS Map: NY806677 (OS 50 000 Sheet 87)
This 8.8ha SNCI is a small lough lying between limestone ridges.
Location and access: This site is 5 km north-west of Haydon Bridge, on the Stanegate Roman road. Car parking is on the roadside and there is no on-site access. Viewing of the site’s birdlife is therefore from the road.
This lough, just north of the Stanegate, lies between limestone ridges. It is the smallest and shallowest of the four natural loughs located in the Hadrian’s Wall area. The water level fluctuates over a large range, possibly due to drainage through the limestone. This limits the development of marginal vegetation. The lough can be viewed from the road and is a good site for waterfowl especially in winter. It has been leased by the Trust since 1972 as a memorial to Drs George Jeans and Tom Hird of Corbridge. A number of geese can regularly be viewed, including greylag, pink footed and bean. Whooper swan also use the lake, although the water is too shallow for diving ducks. Wading species include snipe, golden plover and black-tailed godwit. Teal, shoveler and wigeon are commonly observed.