Site designation: features and constraints:

There are a number of constraints present when deciding the future of the Filter Beds due to it's designation as a Site of Borough Importance Grade 1. Some of the natural features are included in the the following citation:








  Site Reference:          KiBI08
  Site Name:                   Seething Wells Filter Beds
  Summary:                    The remains of the old Surbiton Water Works, next to the Thames, frequented by
                                         wintering wildfowl and other birds seeking refuge from the comparatively exposed
                                         river. Plant species usually associated with the North Downs grow on the chalk
                                         grassland on the concrete basin walls.
  Grid ref:                        TQ 173 675
  Area (ha):                     5.36
  Habitat(s):
  Chalk grassland, Marsh/swamp, Pond/lake, Ruderal
  
  Site Description:
  The remains of the redundant Surbiton Water Works consist of seven rain-fed filter beds in a steep-sided
  basin. Adjacent to the River Thames, these filter beds are important to wintering wildfowl and other birds
  seeking refuge from the comparatively exposed river. There is a locally significant gull roost here, and other
  common water birds breed. Sand martin has also bred here, a London Biodiversity Action Plan priority
  species. The largest filter bed has an extensive emergent bed of the uncommon lesser reedmace (Typha
  angustifolia), while other wetland plants include common spike-rush (Eleocharis palustris). Wetland
  invertebrates include the banded demoiselle damselfly (Calopteryx splendens).
  Species-rich grassland has developed over the concrete substrate lining the basin walls, consisting of
  plants seen more often on the North Downs. These include upright brome (Bromopsis erectus), wild carrot
  (Daucus carota), hoary plantain (Plantago media) and the London rarities small scabious (Scabiosa
  columbaria), dropwort (Filipendula vulgaris), salad burnet (Sanguisorba minor), pyramidal orchid
  (Anacamptis pyramidalis), fern-grass (Catapodium rigidum) and common broomrape (Orobanche minor).
  The site is very important for its resident Daubenton's bats, which are protected and a London Biodiversity
  Action Plan priority species.
  Site first notified:       01/01/1992          Boundary last changed:     01/01/1992
  Citation last edited:   05/05/2006          
   Last Updated:             09/03/2007

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