The Natural History of Slapton Ley | Site Description

Designations

1.  Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) 

Slapton Ley NNR was originally notified as an SSSI in 1954, the designation being more recently reconfirmed under the Renotification of 2004 (11^th February 2004).  The SSSI status was notified under section 28c of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, as inserted by Schedule 9 to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Reasons for Notification

Slapton Ley is nationally important for its coastal geomorphology (shingle barrier beach enclosing a coastal lagoon), open water, vegetated shingle, reed-bed, tall herb-fen and fen woodland plant communities, an assemblage of breeding birds of lowland open water and their margins, a breeding population of the rare Cetti's warbler Cettia cetti, non-breeding passage birds, wintering bittern Botaurus stellaris, a vascular plant assemblage, and a lichen assemblage.   

2.  National Nature Reserve  (NNR)

Status designated 1993. 

3.  Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)

SLNNR lies within the South Devon AONB

4.   Heritage Coast   

Slapton Sands.

5.   Geological Conservation Review Site (GCR)