River Mease SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Leicestershire Staffordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 23.0 hectares (57 acres) |
| Notification | 2000 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
The River Mease SSSI is a very special natural area in England. SSSI stands for "Site of Special Scientific Interest," which means it's protected because of its important wildlife and habitats. This particular SSSI covers about 23.0 hectares (57 acres) of land, which is like 57 football fields! It includes a long part of the River Mease and a smaller stream called Gilwiskaw Brook. This protected area stretches between Alrewas in Staffordshire and Packington in Leicestershire. It's also known as a Special Area of Conservation, making it even more important for nature. Even though much of the river flows through private land, you can still see parts of it from roads and footpaths.
Contents
Discover the River Mease SSSI
Where Does the River Mease Flow?
The River Mease begins its journey near a village called Norton Juxta Twycross in North West Leicestershire. From there, it flows west for about 16 miles (25 kilometers). Most of its path goes through farmland. Finally, it joins a bigger river, the River Trent, at a place called Croxall in Staffordshire.
The SSSI part of the river has many different types of natural areas, called habitats. These include:
- Riffles: Shallow, fast-flowing parts of the river.
- Pools: Deeper, slower-moving sections.
- Slacks: Very calm, still areas.
- Vegetated Margins: Edges of the river with lots of plants.
- Bankside Tree Cover: Trees growing along the riverbanks, providing shade and shelter.
The site also includes a part of the Gilwiskaw Brook, which is a fast-flowing stream that joins the River Mease.
Amazing Animals of the River Mease
The River Mease is home to some truly special animals, especially fish! It has important populations of two types of freshwater fish:
- Spined loach: A small, slender fish with spines near its eyes.
- Bullhead: A bottom-dwelling fish with a large head.
In the upper parts of the river, where the water flows quickly, there aren't many plants. However, there are areas with gravel, which are perfect for bullheads to lay their eggs.
Other rare and interesting animals found here include:
- White-clawed crayfish: This is a type of freshwater crayfish that is becoming rare in many places. It's special because it has pale or white claws.
- Otter: These playful mammals are excellent swimmers and hunters. They are quite rare in the East Midlands, making their presence in the River Mease very important.
Plants in the River Mease
As you move further down the river, where the water flows more slowly across a flat area called a flood plain, you'll find a greater variety of water plants. These plants are important for providing food and shelter for the river's animals.
Plants growing along the edges of the river (marginal vegetation) include:
- Common club-rush: A tall, green plant that looks like a rush.
- Floating sweet-grass: A grass that often floats on the water's surface.
- Reed canary-grass: A tall grass often found in wet areas.
- Branched bur-reed: A plant with long, strap-like leaves and spiky seed heads.
- Greater pond sedge: A type of grass-like plant that grows in wet places.
- Bulrush: A tall plant with a distinctive brown, sausage-shaped flower head.
Plants that grow completely underwater (submerged aquatic vegetation) include:
- River water-crowfoot: A plant with long, flowing leaves that look like hair in the current.
- Common water-crowfoot: Another type of water-crowfoot, often with delicate white flowers.
- Blunt-leaved pondweed: A plant with oval-shaped leaves that grow underwater.
- Fennel pondweed: A pondweed with very thin, feathery leaves.
- Arrowhead: Named for its arrow-shaped leaves that often stick out of the water.
- Yellow water-lily: A beautiful plant with large, round floating leaves and bright yellow flowers.
