Breckland Farmland facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Field of onions near Tuddenham
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| Area of Search | Norfolk Suffolk |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 13,392.4 hectares |
| Notification | 2000 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Breckland Farmland is a very large area of special farmland in Norfolk and Suffolk, England. It covers about 13,392 hectares, which is like 20,000 football fields! This land is not all in one place. It is made up of many separate farms and fields. These special areas are found between the towns of Swaffham in Norfolk and Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.
This farmland is super important for nature. It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place where plants, animals, or rocks are so special that they need extra protection. Breckland Farmland is also part of a bigger protected area called the Breckland Special Protection Area. This protection comes from the European Union's rules about saving wild birds.
Contents
Why is This Farmland Special?
Breckland Farmland is famous for one main reason: it's a vital home for a special bird called the stone curlew. These birds are quite rare. They need very specific places to live and raise their young.
Meet the Stone Curlew
The stone curlew is a unique bird. It has big yellow eyes and long legs. It blends in very well with its surroundings. This helps it hide from predators. Stone curlews are mostly active at night. They make a loud, whistling call.
A Perfect Home for Nesting
Stone curlews lay their eggs in March. They don't build fancy nests in trees. Instead, they prefer to nest right on the ground. They look for bare, open patches of soil. These can be in fields that have just been plowed or planted. They like areas with very short plants.
The farmland in Breckland is perfect for them. Farmers often grow crops like sugar beet and other vegetables here. These fields provide the open, quiet spaces that stone curlews need. It's important that these areas are not disturbed by people or pets. This helps the birds feel safe enough to lay their eggs and raise their chicks.
Protecting the Farmland
Because the stone curlew is so important, Breckland Farmland has special rules. As an SSSI, it means the land is protected by law. This helps make sure the birds have a safe place to live. The land is mostly private farmland. This means there is no public access to most of these areas. This helps keep the stone curlews safe and undisturbed.
