Greylake

{{short description|Geological site near Middlezoy, Somerset}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}

{{Infobox SSSI

|image=File:Greylake.jpg

|name=Greylake

|aos=Somerset

|interest=Geological

|gridref={{gbmappingsmall|ST384336}}

|coordinates = {{coord|51.09838|-2.88109|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}

|displaymap=Somerset

|area={{convert|9.3|ha|km2 sqmi}}

|notifydate={{Start date|1987}}

|enref=1003349

}}

Greylake ({{gbmapping|ST384336}}) is a 9.3 hectare geological Site of Special Scientific Interest near Middlezoy in Somerset, notified in 1987.

This site, on the Somerset Levels, consists of 20 low-lying fields in the north west corner of King's Sedgemoor,{{cite web | title = RSPB Greylake | work = | publisher = Attractions in Somerset | date = | url = http://www.visitsomerset.co.uk/site/things-to-do/attractions/rspb-greylake-p666003map | accessdate = }} and includes the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Greylake nature reserve which has taken over arable farmland and is now home to northern lapwings, common snipe, Eurasian curlews, redshanks, yellow wagtails, skylarks, and meadow pipits.{{cite web |title=Greylake |url=https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/greylake/ |publisher=RSPB |accessdate=6 September 2020}}

This location is the type section for the Pleistocene Burtle Beds, as it is probably the most complete Burtle Beds

sequence in Somerset. It demonstrates a sequence of fluvial (or possibly glacial) gravels, marine intertidal silts and marine subtidal. Rich molluscan, ostracod, and foraminifera assemblages and a mammalian fauna, including red deer (Cervus elephus), aurochs (Bos primigenius), and fallow deer (Dama dama) have been recorded.[http://www.english-nature.org.uk/citation/citation_photo/1003349.pdf English Nature citation sheet for the site] (accessed 7 August 2006)

Greylake was flooded during the winter flooding of 2013–14 on the Somerset Levels.