Large Shallow Inlets & Bays

Shallow inlets and bays are defined as large indentations of the coast, which experience more sheltered conditions than the open coast. They are relatively shallow and have a much lower freshwater influence than estuaries. This feature often encompasses a variety of other more specific habitats, such as mud and sand flats and reefs.

Within the Berwickshire & North Northumberland Coast European marine site this features is represented by the embayments of Fenham Flats, Budle Bay, Beadnell Bay and Embleton Bay.

There are several broad habitat types found within Fenham Flats and Budle Bay areas, including clean and muddy sand, mud flats, eelgrass beds, and mussel beds, all typical components of the embayment type of large shallow inlets and bays. This area forms one of the most extensive areas of sandflats between the Firth of Forth and the Wash.

Below the level of low tide, Beadnell and Embleton Bays form a sandy break in the otherwise continuous reef habitat in this European marine site. These areas are characterised by extensive areas of clean sand with often dense populations of heart urchins (Echinocardium cordatum), and razor clams (Ensis siliqua and E. arcuatus).

The large shallow inlets and bays interest feature has been added later than the original features for the European marine site, during a process called "moderation". Given the recent addition of this feature, a set of conservation objectives is still being drafted to ensure the conservation of this feature in favourable condition.

Pictures of some of the inlets and bays habitats within the site can be seen in Sights and Scenes. [Go to Sights and Scenes page]