The Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site is not the only nature conservation site on this part of the coast. In fact the sheer number of sites selected from the Berwickshire and Northumberland coasts bears testimony to the beauty and high nature conservation status of the area as a whole.

In addition to the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast candidate Special Area of Conservation (cSAC), which is one of the constituent parts of the European marine site, there are three further cSAC's on this part of the coast.

In the north the European marine site overlaps with the St. Abbs to Fast Castle Head cSAC. This site has been selected as a fine example of vegetated sea cliffs. Further to the south, the Tweed Estuary cSAC has been recognised as an important estuary with extensive sand and mud flats, supporting populations of the primitive river lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Finally, the North Northumberland Dunes cSAC extends discontinuously between the River Tweed and River Coquet estuaries. Most proposed SACs are selected around already existing Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). For example the North Northumberland Dunes cSAC comprises six component SSSIs.

It is under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981 that SSSIs are designated. If at a later date the site is also selected as an SAC, this does not replace the SSSI designation. Indeed the two designations may be made for different reasons, but should complement each other in conserving the interest features and integrity of the site.

The intertidal part of the Lindisfarne Special Protection Area (SPA) is part of the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site. However, there are a further four SPAs within or adjacent to the site. The St. Abbs Head to Fast Castle SPA has been selected for its important assemblage of breeding seabirds and its colony of guillemots (Uria aalge & Uria albionis) and is also noted for its populations of shags (Phalacrocorax aristotelis), kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and razorbills (Alca torda). The Farne Islands SPA supports important populations of several species of tern some of which are included in *Annex 1 of the 1979 Birds Directive. The Coquet Island SPA is noted for its breeding seabird populations. As on the Farnes, important numbers of terns are found on Coquet, along with approximately 400 pairs of eider duck. The Northumbria Coast SPA is noted for the presence of the little tern (Sterna albifrons) an Annex 1 species, along with other migratory species such as the purple sandpiper (Calidris maritima) and the turnstone (Arenaria interpres).

*Annex 1 of the 1979 Birds Directive lists rare, endangered or vulnerable species of birds.

The location and boundaries of some of these SACs and SPAs can be seen in the Map Gallery

AONB & Heritage Coast

In addition to the many SACs and SPAs, the Northumberland coast from Spittal in the north to the Coquet estuary has been declared an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). A slightly larger area, from the Scottish border and including Druridge Bay in the south has been declared a Heritage Coast. To discover more about these important designations, follow the link above.

St. Abbs & Eyemouth VMR

A designation of a different sort is found at St. Abbs and Eyemouth in Scotland, an area hugely popular with the scuba diving community. The area of sea surrounding both these harbours has been declared the St. Abbs & Eyemouth Voluntary Marine Reserve (VMR). The reserve is very much a community partnership with local people and visitors alike working together to promote marine conservation within the area. More detailed information regarding the St. Abbs & Eyemouth VMR can be found by following the link above.

Archaeology

The coastal areas of Berwickshire and Northumberland have a fascinating history, much of which is still very evident today owing to the countless archaeological sites and scheduled monuments that can still be seen. To delve into the past, follow the archaeology link above.