Flora and Fauna
Borrowdale Valley: Where Glaciers and Gulf Streams Meet to Create a Biodiverse Paradise
Experience the Unique Geological Wonders
Borrowdale is a valley located in the Lake District National park of Cumbria, England, known for its unique blend of geological, climatic and topographical features.
The valley was formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age, which carved out steep-sided valleys, rocky crags, and high fells.
The mild climate, influenced by Gulf Stream, supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including many rare and endangered species.
This picturesque and serene valley is a popular destination for hikers and nature enthusiasts alike, who come to marvel at the sunning vistas and observe the abundant wildlife.
Where Nature's Fury Carved out Rugged Mountain Tops
The mountain tops in Borrowdale offer rugged crags that provide niche habitats for rare Alpine plants. These crags were once home to golden eagles, but today Peregrine falcons and buzzards can be found inhabiting the area.
The 'hanging oak woodlands' that clothe the valley sides are remnants of ancient rainforests. The moist climate in the area has lead to a rich variety of ferns, mosses, liverworts and lichens that drape the canopies, with drifts of dog's mercury, primrose, woodruff and celandine carpeting the woodland floor.
These woodlands were traditionally coppiced to provide timber for charcoal, bobbins, swill baskets, hurdles and tool handles. Coppicing is a sustainable form of woodland management that is beneficial to wildlife as it allows sunlight to reach the woodland floor, creating a varied ground flora that attracts a variety of butterflies, moths, birds and animals.
Flat valley floor
Borrowdale's flat valley floor is divided into green fields or left as wetland mires, offering a different habitat for plants and animals. The scenic lakes of Derwentwater and Watendlath Tarn, along with the sparkling thread of the River Derwent, running through the main valley, offer yet another habitat for a variety of species.
In Borrowdale, you'll find unique and rare plants and animals that form Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). This makes it an ideal destination for nature enthusiasts and those looking to experience the beauty of the great outdoors.
