Southlake Moor

Infobox SSSI


name=Southlake Moor
aos=Somerset
interest=Biological
gridref=gbmappingsmall|ST370300
area=196.1 hectare (484.6 acre)
notifydate=1985

http://www.natureonthemap.org.uk/map.aspx?
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Southlake Moor (gbmapping|ST370300) is a 196.1 hectare (484.6 acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Somerset, notified in 1985.

Southlake Moor forms part of the extensive grazing marsh and ditch system of Somerset Levels and Moors. Southlake Moor is unusual in that, when conditions in the River Parrett are suitable, it may be deliberately flooded in winter by means of a sluice in the river floodbank. Some 96 species of aquatic and bankside vascular plant species have been recorded from Southlake Moor, of particular interest is the Greater water-parsnip ("Sium latifolium"). When the moor is flooded, large numbers of wildfowl may be present; with up to 22,000 Wigeon ("Anas penelope"), 250 Bewick's Swan ("Cygnus bewickii") and good numbers of Pochard ("Aythya ferina"), "Teal" ("Anas crecca") and Tufted Duck ("Aythya fuligula"). Regular signs of the Otter ("Lutra lutra") are to be seen on the muddy banks of the RiverParrett. The ditches on the east side of the site contain a population of the Palmate Newt ("Triturus helveticus"). [cite web | title=Southlake Moor | work=English Nature | url=http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1002426.pdf | accessdate=2006-08-21]

References