Northumberland Local Geological Site...dominated groundflora. This area however, had been removed of canopy and understory trees and the groundflora area largely lost due to heavy

Northumberland Local Wildlife Site

Field Record and Assessment Form

Site Name Wansbeck and

Hartburn Woods

Site Number CM016

OS Grid Reference NZ140848 Local Authority Northumberland County

Council

Surveyed By

(inc.

qualifications)

Naomi Waite MSc MIEEM

Katy Cook MSc

Date of Survey 24/04/13

25/04/13

26/04/13

Present Site

Status

LWS Date Designated

Area 181.3ha Date Reviewed

Site Description General description:

The Wansbeck and Hartburn Woods LWS is a narrow strip of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, Plantation

Ancient Woodland, conifer plantations and areas of broad-leaved woodland.

Site parking and access:

The majority of site is privately owned and access is restricted, however public footpaths are present

throughout. The site includes Borough Woods which is publically owned.

Description:

The Wansbeck and Hartburn Woods LWS is a narrow strip of Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland, Plantation

Ancient Woodland, conifer plantations and areas of broad-leaved woodland.

Full access to the site was not possible. The areas surveyed are described below and cover the site from the

far west downstream to the eastern end of the site.

Borough Woods

Borough Woods is a Local Nature Reserve east of Morpeth. It is an area of Ancient and Semi-Natural

Woodland around Athy’s Dene and another small burn that leads into the Wansbeck river. The woodland itself

is broad-leaved and situated on steep topography either side of the small burns. It is on the southern edge of

the river Wansbeck. The woodland is a mixture of beech dominated areas and areas where ash and

sycamore predominate. Hazel and hawthorn are the most frequently recorded understory species, with some

elder and holly also present. The groundflora varies across Borough Woods, often influenced by the dominant

canopy species; where beech is most frequently found the groundflora becomes less species rich and sparse,

unlike beneath ash and sycamore woodland. Areas of ramsons and great woodrush, and to a lesser extent

wood anemone and English bluebell, are the dominant ground flora species, however Borough Woods also

support many other woodland ground flora species particularly Ancient Woodland Indicators (AWI) including

wood melick, sanicle and wood speedwell.

Meldon Park

Meldon Park supports a series of mixed, broad-leaved and coniferous woodland leading down to the river

Wansbeck, within the setting of a large estate and as such much of the structure of woodlands is influenced

by this. Coniferous woodlands dominate the park with the areas of semi-natural broad-leaved woodland

confined to the edge of the river Wansbeck, where alder dominates and a species rich ground flora can be

found. Ash woodland is situated within the upper areas of the conifer woodland, unlike the areas of broad-

leaved woodland bordering the river, has little groundflora and the understory layer is almost entirely

dominated by dense rhododendron.

Woodlands east and south of Bluebell Wood

Bluebell Wood is part of the Meldon Park estate. It is principally a coniferous woodland with a broad-leaved

wooded edge. Woodland groundflora continues from the broad-leaved woodland edge up into the Bluebell

wood and is predominately bluebells.

To the east of Bluebell wood is another area of coniferous woodland dominated by Scot’s pine. Unlike bluebell

woodland the groundflora remains and is dominated by ramsons and bluebells. To the south of this area and

to the south of Bluebell woods are small areas of broad-leaved woodland dominated by ash and alder. Hazel

coppice is present here and beneath this understory layer AWI including hairy wood rush, sanicle, dog’s

mercury and wood sorrel. Part of the LWS boundary includes an area marked on the OS map as woodland.

The survey showed this to be a small area of haughland grazed by horses.

Meldon Bridge woodland

Although no access could be gained to this woodland, the view from the road-side edge showed this area of

Ancient Semi-Natural Woodland to be species rich with Scot’s pine and ash dominating the canopy. Oak,

beech and silver birch are also present.

West Scroggs woodland

West Scroggs woodland appeared to have been an area of mature oak woodland with extensive ramsons

dominated groundflora. This area however, had been removed of canopy and understory trees and the

groundflora area largely lost due to heavy plant machinery. It is understood to be part of works being carried

out to create a dam as part of the Morpeth Flood alleviation scheme.

Hartburn Glebe

Hartburn Glebe is an area of woodland owned and managed by the Woodland Trust, on the southern side of

the Hartburn (a tributary of the Wansbeck). It is a mixed woodland mostly dominated by Scot’s pine, sycamore

and beech, established on millstone grit. The groundflora is dominated by ramsons and great woodrush, with

other AWI including English bluebell, wood sorrel and wood anemone. Areas of dense opposite-leaved

golden-saxifrage are present in damp flushes in the lower lying areas of the woodland. Along the top ridge of

the site there are influences from the adjacent gardens with species including tuberous comfrey and Welsh

poppy found.

Narrow strips of broad-leaved woodland link the main woodland areas. These tend to be dominated by alder,

with woodland groundflora beneath. As many of these narrow strips have remained woodland for large

periods of time, the majority of AWI species recorded throughout the surveys were also recorded along the

watercourse edges.

Additional Features of Note (refer to Ratcliffe criteria where appropriate):

Both the Wansbeck and the Hartburn support large populations of white clawed-crayfish. White clawed

crayfish remains were found in otter spraint throughout the survey area.

Birds: Coal Tit

Wood Pigeon

Pheasant

Jackdaw

Mallard

Dipper

Other animals: Badger

Roe Deer

Otter

Management Issues:

The Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme works may negatively impact upon the status of white-clawed crayfish

if appropriate mitigation is not in-place.

Conservation actions:

Monitoring of the success of the Morpeth Flood Alleviation Scheme would be recommended.

Notes for next survey

The remaining areas of the site require survey. Survey of the full length of the Hartburn for white clawed

crayfish would be beneficial with a view to designating the entire length of the watercourse.

Maps and Aerial Photographs of Site

Aerial Photograph

(taken from Bing Maps©)

Boundary Map (as shown in LS GIS layer)

Suggested boundary alteration

Ancient Semi Natural Woodland

Key

Plantation Ancient Woodland

Ancient Semi Natural Woodland

Habitat Map

Key:

Semi-natural broad-leaved woodland

Semi-natural mixed woodland

Species poor semi-improved grassland

Plantation coniferous woodland

Plantation broad-leaved woodland

Running water

Arable farmland

Dense bracken

X Scattered scrub

Scattered broad-leaved trees

Photographs

1. Hartburn Glebe woods with dominant great woodrush ground flora.

2. Haughland opposite Bluebell Woods

3. The felled area of the West Scroggs – with remaining AWI flora

4. Ramsons dominated wooded river edge

5. Rhododendron dominated woodland at Meldon Park

6. Borough Woods- sparse ground flora coverage under beech woodland

7. Borough Woods – species rich ground flora beneath ash woodland

8. Formerly coppiced hazel stands – found throughout the length of the LWS

9. Borough Woods – species rich ground flora dominated by wood anemone

Site Evaluation Against Guidelines Version of criteria tested against: March 2014

Criteria Site

Woodland The site supports areas of ASNW and other areas of broad-leaved woodland that are

dominated by AWI;

Crustaceans White clawed crayfish remains were found in otter spraint along the length of the LWS;

indicating the presence of this species throughout.

Site boundary has been established using: existing field boundaries/watercouses/roads/other on the ground

feature. Please specify…Field boundaries, footpaths and woodland blocks

For full species list see Appendix

Selection judgement

Decision

Designate the site as a LWS? YES x NO

Boundary alteration? YES x NO

Retain for further survey/management? YES x NO

Reason why:

The site supports ASNW and areas of broad-leaved and conifer plantation with over 10 AWI and areas of

semi-natural canopy and structure. White clawed crayfish are also present along the watercourses.

Boundary alterations are suggested to exclude areas of species poor grass, and species poor conifer

plantations. The boundary alterations also fit the boundary to on the ground features.

Not all areas of the site could be accessed and as such require surveying. Survey for white clawed crayfish of

the full length of both the Wansbeck and Hartburn watercourse, including tributaries, would be beneficial.

Decision made on ……/……/…… (date)

People present: Organisations/affiliations

Appendix Vascular Plant List

Species highlighted in red are AWI

Borough Woods

Scientific name Common name DAFOR

Rosa sp. a rose R

Vicia sp. a vetch O

Epilobium sp. a willowherb O

Anemone nemorosa Anemone, wood F- LA

Angelica sylvestris Angelica, Wild O-R

Fraxinus excelsior Ash F

Geum urbanum Avens, Wood R

Fagus sylvatica Beech O-LF

Betula pendula Birch, Silver O-R

Cardemine flexuosa Bitter-cress, Wavy R

Prunus spinosa Blackthorn LO

Hyacinthoides non-scripta Bluebell, English O

Rubus fruticosus Bramble O

Brachypodium sylvaticum Brome, False F

Veronica beccabunga Brooklime R

Ajuga reptans Bugle O

Ranunculus repens Buttercup, Creeping O-R

Ranunculus auricomus Buttercup, Goldilocks R

Ranunculus acris Buttercup, Meadow R

Silene dioca Campion, Red O

Ranunculus ficaria Celandine, Lesser O

Prunus padus Cherry, Bird LO

Aesculus hippocastanum Chestnut, Horse R

Galium aparine Cleavers R

Trifolium repens Clover, White R

Dactylis glomerata Cock's-foot R-vLO

Geranium sylvaticum Crane's-bill, Wood R

Ribes rubrum Currant, Red R

Taraxacum agg. Dandelion O

Rumex sanguineus Dock, Wood R

Mercurialis perennis Dog's Mercury O-F

Narcissus sp. Domestic daffodil O

Sambucus nigra Elder, Common O-F

Dryopteris dilatata Fern, Broad Buckler O

Blechnum spicant Fern, Hard R

Dryopteris filix-mas Fern, Male O

Digitalis purpurea Foxglove R

Chrysosplenium oppositifolium Golden-saxifrage,Opposite-Leaved LF

Ribes uva-crispa Gooseberry R

Aegopodium podagraria Ground Elder LO

Deschampsia cespitosa Hair-grass, Tufted O-LF

Crepis paludosa Hawk's-beard, Marsh O-R

Corylus avellana Hazel F-A

Heracleum sphondylium Hogweed, Common R

Ilex aquifolium Holly R-O

Lonicera periclymenum Honeysuckle O

Equisetum telmateia Horsetail, Great R

Hedera helix Ivy, Common R

Centaurea nigra Knapweed R

Larix kaempferi Larch, Japanese R

Arum maculatum Lords-and-Ladies R-LO

Caltha palustris Marsh-Marigold LO

Melica uniflora Melick, Wood R

Alliaria petiolata Mustard, Garlic R

Urtica dioica Nettle, Stinging R

Lapsana communis Nipplewort R

Quercus petraea Oak, Sessile O

Anthriscus sylvestris Parsley, Cow R

Conopodium majus Pignut O

Lysimachia nemorum Pimpernel, Yellow R

Pinus sylvestris Pine, Scots O

Plantago major Plantain, Greater R

Primula vulgaris Primrose O

Allium ursinum Ramsons F-A

Rubus ideaus Raspberry R

Rhododendron ponticum Rhododendron vR

Juncus effusus Rush, Soft R-LO

Moehringia trinervia Sandwort, Three-veined R

Sanicula europaea Sanicle O

Carex pendula Sedge, Pendulous O

Carex sylvatica Sedge, Wood O

Veronica chamaedrys Speedwell, Germander O

Veronica montana Speedwell, Wood O

Stellaria holostea Stitchwort, Greater R

Stellaria nemorum Stitchwort, Wood R

Potentilla sterilis Strawberry, Barren O

Fragaria vesca Strawberry, Wild O

Acer pseudoplatanus Sycamore F

Valeriana officinalis Valerian, Common R

Viola riviniana Violet, Common-dog O

Salix cinerea Willow, grey LO-LF

Luzula sylvatica Wood rush, great F-LA

Luzula pilosa Wood rush, hairy O

Teucrium scorodonia Wood sage O-R

Oxalis acetosella Wood sorrel O

Galium odoratum Woodruff O-R

Stachys sylvatica Woundwort, hedge R

Hartburn Glebe

Common name Scientific name DAFOR

A birch Betula sp. O

A lime Tilia sp. R

A spruce Picea sp. O

A willowherb Epilobium sp. O

Anemone, wood Anemone nemorosa O

Angelica, Wild Angelica sylvestris R

Avens, Hybrid Geum x intermedium R

Avens, Water Geum rivale R

Avens, Wood Geum urbanum O

Beech Fagus sylvatica F

Birch, Downy Betula pubescens R

Birch, Silver Betula pendula O

Bitter-cress, Large Cardemine amara LO

Bitter-cress, Wavy Cardemine flexuosa R

Bluebell, English Hyacinthoides non-scripta O

Bramble Rubus fruticosus F

Bugle Ajuga reptans O

Butterbur Petasites hybridus R

Buttercup, Creeping Ranunculus repens R

Campion, Red Silene dioca O

Celandine, Lesser Ranunculus ficaria O

Cherry, Bird Prunus padus R

Cherry, Wild Prunus avium O

Cleavers Galium aparine R

Cock's-foot Dactylis glomerata O

Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara R

Comfrey, Tuberous Symphytum tuberosum vLF

Dandelion Taraxacum agg. R

Dock, Wood Rumex sanguineus O

Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis O

Elder, Common Sambucus nigra O

Fern, Broad Buckler Dryopteris dilatata F

Fern, Male Dryopteris filix-mas O

Fringecups Tellima grandiflora R

Golden-saxifrage, Alternate-Leaved Chrysosplenium alternifolium LO

Golden-saxifrage,Opposite-Leaved Chrysosplenium oppositifolium LA

Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa R

Ground Elder Aegopodium podagraria vLF

Hair-grass, Tufted Deschampsia cespitosa F

Hawk's-beard, Marsh Crepis paludosa R

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna O

Hazel Corylus avellana O

Herb-robert Geranium robertianum O

Hogweed, Common Heracleum sphondylium R

Holly Ilex aquifolium O

Honeysuckle Lonicera periclymenum O

Ivy, Common Hedera helix O

Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum O

Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria LO

Melick, Wood Melica uniflora R

Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina R

Nettle, Stinging Urtica dioica R

Nipplewort Lapsana communis R

Oak, Hybrid Quercus x rosacea O

Parsley, Cow Anthriscus sylvestris R

Pignut Conopodium majus R

Poppy, Welsh Meconopsis cambrica vLO

Primrose Primula vulgaris O

Ramsons Allium ursinum LA

Rowan Sorbus aucuparia O

Sedge, Pendulous Carex pendula R

Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis R

Speedwell, Germander Veronica chamaedrys R

Speedwell, Wood Veronica montana O

Stitchwort, Greater Stellaria holostea R

Strawberry, Wild Fragaria vesca R

Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus O

Vetch, Bush Vicia sepium R

Wood rush, great Luzula sylvatica LD

Wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella O

Yew Taxus baccata R

Land opposite and to the south of Bluebell Wood


A lady's mantle Alchemilla glabra R

A spruce Picea sp O

A willowherb Epilobium sp. R

Anemone, wood Anemone nemorosa O

Angelica, Wild Angelica sylvestris O

Ash Fraxinus excelsior F

Avens, Hybrid Geum x intermedium O

Avens, Water Geum rivale O


Bitter-cress, Large Cardemine amara LO

Blackthorn Prunus spinosa R

Bluebell, English Hyacinthoides non-scripta O

Bramble Rubus fruticosus O

Burdock, Lesser Arctium minus R


Buttercup, Creeping Ranunculus repens R

Buttercup, Goldilocks Ranunculus auricomus R




Cinquefoil, Creeping Potentilla reptans R


Crane's-bill, Wood Geranium sylvaticum R

Currant, Black Ribes nigrum R

Dock, Wood Rumex sanguineus O

Dog's Mercury Mercurialis perennis F

Fern, Hard Blechnum spicant R

Fern, Male Dryopteris filix-mas R

Fescue, Giant Festuca gigantea R

Forget-me-not, Wood Myosotis sylvatica O

Golden-saxifrage,Opposite-Leaved Chrysosplenium oppositifolium LF

Hair-grass, Tufted Deschampsia cespitosa F

Hawk's-beard, Marsh Crepis paludosa R

Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna O

Hazel Corylus avellana F

Herb-robert Geranium robertianum O

Hogweed, Common Heracleum sphondylium R

Holly Ilex aquifolium O

Ivy, Common Hedera helix O

Lords-and-Ladies Arum maculatum O-R

Marsh-Marigold Caltha palustris R

Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria LO

Melick, Wood Melica uniflora R

Mint, Water Mentha aquatica R

Moschatel Adoxa moschatellina R

Nettle, Stinging Urtica dioica R

Nipplewort Lapsana communis R

Oak, Hybrid Quercus x rosacea F

Parsley, Cow Anthriscus sylvestris R

Pignut Conopodium majus F

Primrose Primula vulgaris O-F

Ramsons Allium ursinum A

Raspberry Rubus ideaus R

Rose, Dog Rosa canina R

Sedge, Wood Carex sylvatica O

Snowdrop Galanthus nivalis R

Speedwell, Germander Veronica chamaedrys R

Speedwell, Wood Veronica montana O

St. John's-wort, Perforate Hypericum perforatum vR

Stitchwort, Greater Stellaria holostea O

Strawberry, Barren Potentilla sterilis O-F

Sycamore Acer pseudoplatanus O

Valerian, Common Valeriana officinalis R

Vetch, Bush Vicia sepium O

Violet, Common-dog Viola riviniana F

Wood rush, great Luzula sylvatica O

Wood rush, hairy Luzula pilosa R

Wood sorrel Oxalis acetosella R

Woodlands around West Scroggs


Alder Alnus glutinosa LF

Anemone, wood Anemone nemorosa F

Angelica, Wild Angelica sylvestris R

Ash Fraxinus excelsior F

Avens, Hybrid Geum x intermedium O

Avens, Water Geum rivale O


Beech Fagus sylvatica F

Bitter-cress, Large Cardemine amara R

Bitter-cress, Wavy Cardemine flexuosa R

Bramble Rubus fruticosus O

Brome, False Brachypodium sylvaticum O





Cleavers Galium aparine R


Colt's-foot Tussilago farfara R

Documents

Northumberland Local Geological Site...dominated groundflora. This area however, had been removed of canopy and understory trees and the groundflora area largely lost due to heavy