Holburn Lake and Moss facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Holburn Lake and Moss
Holburn Lake and Moss Location in Northumberland
Location	Northumberland
Coordinates	55°37′19″N 1°55′08″W / 55.622°N 1.919°W / 55.622; -1.919
Basin countries	England

Holburn Lake and Moss is a special nature reserve found in Northumberland, England. It is located to the east of the small village of Holburn. Not far from here, you can also find St Cuthbert's Cave, which is a famous local landmark. This area is protected because it is home to many important plants and animals.

Exploring Holburn Lake

Holburn Lake is not a natural lake. It was actually created by people in 1934. This means it is an artificial lake.

Wildlife at the Lake

The lake is a very important spot for birds, especially during winter. Many greylag geese come here from Iceland to spend the colder months. These geese are part of a large group that is important across Europe. Other birds like the Eurasian wigeon and common teal also use the lake as a safe place to rest.

Along the eastern side of the lake, you can find a special area called a floating bog. This is a type of wetland where plants grow on a mat that floats on the water.

Discovering Holburn Moss

Holburn Moss is a type of wetland called a peat bog. A peat bog is a spongy, wet area where dead plants build up over time to form a thick layer called peat.

Plants of the Moss

This peat bog is home to many different kinds of plants. You can find various types of bog mosses here. Other interesting bog plants include:

• heather
• cotton grass, which has fluffy white tops
• cranberry plants
• round-leaved sundew, a small plant that catches insects with its sticky leaves

Protecting the Moss

In the past, parts of Holburn Moss were damaged by something called forestry ploughing. This is when land is ploughed to prepare it for planting trees. However, now the area is protected to help its unique plants and animals thrive.