Pity Me Carrs
About the Site
Pity Me Carrs is an area of some 8 hectares, comprising a mosaic of acid grassland, gorse scrub, lowland heath and bracken dominated communities. There are two wetland areas, one of which retains some standing water for most of the year. A disused railway line to the southern end of the site supports hawthorn scrub. A smaller embankment, the remains of an old wagon way, runs north-south near the present western boundary.
It is thought that the settlement name of Pity Me owes its origin to a former lake on the site known as "Petit Mere".
65 plant species have been recorded at the site. Of particular interest is the marsh pennywort, which is uncommon in County Durham. Also of note are marsh violet, purple moor-grass, cross-leaved heath and hare’s-tail cottongrass, which have been recorded from very few sites in the east and are normally found in upland mire and fen communities; and eared willow which is widespread but thinly distributed within County Durham.
Adders-tongue fern, an indicator species of high quality grassland habitat, has been recorded on the site.
Frogs and newts are present on the site and five species of damselfly and one species of dragonfly have also been recorded.
Pity Me Carrs
Location
It is best approached via the A167 roundabout at the edge of the built up area. Follow the north south road (which is the old A1) into Pity Me and turn left into Bishops Way on the new housing estate. Parking space is available at the bottom of this road where there is a path onto the site.Grid reference: NZ 267 453.
Facilities
None.Enquiries
Durham County CouncilEnvironment
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 3833594
