Halleypike Lough facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Halleypike Lough
Halleypike Lough Location in Northumberland
Location	Northumberland
Group	Roman Wall Loughs
Coordinates	55°02′20″N 2°18′07″W / 55.039°N 2.302°W / 55.039; -2.302 (Halleypike Lough)
Basin countries	England

Halleypike Lough is a lovely inland lake found on Haughton common in Northumberland, northern England. It's located right at the southern edge of the beautiful Northumberland National Park.

You can find this lake about 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the B6318 Military Road, not far from Bardon Mill. Halleypike Lough was created a long time ago, during the Victorian era (which was from 1837 to 1901). People still enjoy fishing in its waters today.

Meet the White-clawed Crayfish

A Special Creature in the Lough

Halleypike Lough is home to a very special animal called the White-clawed crayfish (its scientific name is Austropotamobius pallipes). This crayfish is the only type of crayfish that is native to the British Isles. This means it's the only one that naturally belongs here!

Why They Need Our Help

Sadly, the number of White-clawed crayfish is getting smaller across Europe, Great Britain, and especially in northeast England. They are a "protected species," which means they are at risk and need our help to survive.

Where Crayfish Like to Live

Crayfish have specific places they like to call home. They prefer rivers, streams, and lakes that have water rich in minerals, like calcium carbonate. This kind of water is sometimes called "chalky" water.

In Northumberland National Park, there aren't many places with this special kind of water. Because of this, White-clawed crayfish have probably never been very common in the park. Protecting places like Halleypike Lough is super important for these unique creatures.