Breckland Forest facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Norfolk Suffolk |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 18,126 hectares |
| Notification | 2000 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Breckland Forest is a huge natural area in England, covering 18,126 hectares. That's about the size of 25,000 football fields! It's located across parts of Norfolk and Suffolk, between the towns of Swaffham and Bury St Edmunds. This special place is important for both its amazing wildlife and its interesting geology.
Contents
What is Breckland Forest?
Breckland Forest isn't just one big forest. It's made up of many separate natural areas. These areas are officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means the land is protected by law because it has rare plants, animals, or geological features.
A Special Place for Nature
Breckland Forest is also part of the Breckland Special Protection Area. This is a European Union program that helps protect wild birds. It means the area is super important for certain bird species. One small part of the site, called Barton Mills Valley, is even a Local Nature Reserve. These reserves are places where people can enjoy nature and learn about it.
Birds of Breckland
Two very special birds, the Woodlark and the nightjar, live and breed here. There are so many of them that Breckland Forest is considered "internationally important" for these species. This means the area plays a key role in their survival worldwide.
Rare Plants and Insects
Besides birds, Breckland Forest is home to many rare plants and insects. Some of these are on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list tells us which species are at risk of disappearing forever. The plants include "vascular plants," which are plants with special tissues to carry water and nutrients, like trees and flowers. The insects are "invertebrates," meaning they don't have a backbone, like butterflies and beetles.
A Look into the Past
The geological sites within Breckland Forest are like time capsules. They help scientists understand the environment and human history of East Anglia. These sites show us what the area was like during the Middle Pleistocene period. This was a long time ago, between 774,000 and 129,000 years ago! Scientists study these sites to learn about ancient climates and how early humans lived. Two important geological sites here are Beeches Pit in Icklingham and High Lodge.
Protecting Breckland Forest
Breckland Forest was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the year 2000. Protecting this large and diverse area helps keep its unique wildlife and historical secrets safe for future generations.
