South Walney and Piel Channel Flats Site of Special Scientific Interest
The South Walney and Piel Channel Flats Site of Special Scientific Interest is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Cumbria , England .
The area includes Walney Island which is south of the Jubilee Bridge, the southern part of the Walney Channel, Piel Island , Roa Island and Foulney Island . The size of the area is 2,332.85 hectares , areas below the mean flood line are excluded.
The area is of geological and biological importance. Walney Island is a barrier island that was formed by glaciers rather than ocean activity. In contrast to the sandy north end, the south end of Walney Island consists of pebbles and there are extensive pebble areas around Foulney Island. The two pebble areas form the largest plant-covered pebble area in Great Britain and have an extremely rich vegetation for this type of soil. Behind the pebble banks of the southern end of Walney Island are dunes, which, in contrast to those at the northern end of the island, are less calcareous and whose soil has been significantly changed by seagulls . The dunes and pebbles are home to one of the largest colonies of seagulls in north-west England.
The Tummer Hill Salt Marsh south of Vickerstown is the largest non-grazing salt marsh in southern Cumbria and has a distinctly different vegetation than the other pasture areas. On the pebble surfaces of Walney Island and Foulney Island one could also observe the interplay of salt marsh and pebble vegetation.
The area is a wintering place for birds of European importance.
Web links
- South Walney and Piel Channel Flats on SSSI List at Natural England
Coordinates: 54 ° 2 '50.7 " N , 3 ° 11' 24.3" W.