Buff Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 15.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1984 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Buff Wood is a special natural area in Hatley, Cambridgeshire. It covers about 15.8 hectares, which is like 39 football fields! This amazing place is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI.
Being an SSSI means Buff Wood is super important for its plants, animals, or geology. It's protected by law to make sure its unique nature stays safe. The Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire helps look after this wonderful woodland.
Contents
Discover Buff Wood: A Special Place for Nature
Buff Wood is a fantastic example of a "boulder clay woodland." This means the soil is made of clay with rocks and stones, left behind by ancient glaciers. This type of soil helps many different plants and animals thrive here.
A Home for Amazing Plants
This woodland is bursting with life, especially beautiful wildflowers. You can find many different kinds growing here.
Rare Wildflowers to Spot
Two very special flowers make their home in Buff Wood:
- Oxlips: These pretty pale yellow flowers are a cross between a cowslip and a primrose. They are a sign of an old, undisturbed woodland.
- Green Hellebore: This plant is quite uncommon. It has unique green, bell-shaped flowers that hang downwards. Finding it shows how healthy and diverse the woodland is.
Butterflies and Other Wildlife
Buff Wood is also a buzzing place for insects, especially butterflies! These colorful creatures flutter among the trees and flowers, adding to the beauty of the wood.
Meet the Butterflies!
Keep an eye out for these lovely butterflies:
- Brimstones: These are bright yellow butterflies, often among the first to be seen in spring.
- Large Whites: You'll recognize these common white butterflies with black tips on their wings.
- Orange-tips: The males have bright orange tips on their wings, making them easy to spot.
- Speckled Woods: These butterflies are brown with creamy-yellow spots, often seen dancing in sunny patches.
Visiting Buff Wood
Buff Wood is a protected area, so if you want to visit, you'll need a special permit. This helps the Wildlife Trust manage the area carefully and protect its delicate ecosystem.
How to Get a Permit
You can contact the Wildlife Trust for Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire to learn more about getting a permit. They can tell you how to visit responsibly and enjoy the wonders of Buff Wood.
