Greenlee Lough facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greenlee Lough |
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| Location | Northumberland |
| Group | Roman Wall Loughs |
| Coordinates | 55°01′N 2°21′W / 55.017°N 2.350°W OS grid: NY776691 |
| Type | mesotrophic |
| Basin countries | United Kingdom |
| Surface area | 0.6 km2 (0.23 sq mi) |
Greenlee Lough is a beautiful lake located in Northumberland, northern England. It's about 3 miles (5 km) north of Bardon Mill. This special place is also a national nature reserve.
The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and the Northumberland National Park work together to protect and manage Greenlee Lough. It's a shallow lake with many water plants growing around its edges. Most of the reserve is open water, but you can also find areas with reedbeds, wet meadows (called herb fens), and blanket bogs. Many different kinds of wildfowl (like ducks and geese) and waders (birds that feed in shallow water) visit the lough. They love to feed in its shallow waters and wetland areas. Did you know that the Romans used Greenlee Lough as a reservoir when they were building Hadrian's Wall?
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Discover Greenlee Lough's Wildlife
Greenlee Lough is a fantastic place for nature lovers. It's home to many different animals, especially birds.
Birds of the Lough
The shallow waters and surrounding wetlands make Greenlee Lough a perfect home for many wildfowl and waders. These birds come here to feed and rest. You might spot ducks, geese, and various wading birds exploring the lake's edges.
Meet the White-clawed Crayfish
One of the most important animals living in Greenlee Lough is the White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes). This amazing creature is the only type of crayfish native to the British Isles.
Why are White-clawed Crayfish Special?
Sadly, the White-clawed crayfish is becoming rare. Its numbers are declining across Europe, Great Britain, and even in northeast England. This makes the crayfish at Greenlee Lough very important! They prefer to live in clean rivers, streams, and lakes that have certain types of rocks (calcareous). Because these habitats are not very common in Northumberland National Park, the crayfish here are extra special. Protecting Greenlee Lough helps protect these unique creatures.
| Roy Wilkins |
| John Lewis |
| Linda Carol Brown |