Hetton Bogs
Natural area in Sunderland, UK
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hetton Bogs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI)[1][2] within the Sunderland district of Tyne and Wear, England. It is located 1 km (0.62 mi) north of the town of Hetton-le-Hole. This area is protected because of the diversity of plant species present within fen habitat.
The fen habitat receives water from two streams: Hetton Burn and Rainton Burn. These provide base-rich waters from the escarpment composed of Magnesian Limestone.
Biology
Plant species within the fen habitat include great hairy willow-herb, marsh willow-herb, marsh marigold, marsh thistle, square-stemmed St John's-wort, ragged robin, watermint, water forget-me-not, marsh valerian, meadowsweet, wild angelica, sneezewort, lesser spearwort, pennywort, northern marsh-orchid, spotted orchid, marsh arrowgrass, water plantain, branched bur-reed, water crowfoot and floating lesser duckweed.[1]
In Hetton Houses Wood, under downy birch, herbaceous plants include bluebell, red campion, wood sanicle, marsh ragwort and water avens.[1]
Water vole has been recorded within Hetton Bogs SSSI.
Land ownership
All land within Hetton Bogs SSSI is owned by the local authority.[3]