Burton Park SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 57.7 hectares (143 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Burton Park SSSI is a very special natural area in West Sussex, England. It's about 57.7 hectares (which is like 142 acres) and is located west of Pulborough. This site is important because it protects different kinds of habitats and the amazing wildlife that lives there.
Contents
What is Burton Park SSSI?
SSSI stands for Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means it's a place that the government has officially recognized as being very important for its plants, animals, or geology. Burton Park SSSI was given this special status in 1986.
A larger area, about 63 hectares (155 acres), is also known as Burton and Chingford Ponds. This bigger area includes Chingford Pond and is a Local Nature Reserve. It is looked after by the Sussex Wildlife Trust and West Sussex County Council. The site is also right next to Burton Park, a historic building.
A Special Place for Wildlife
Burton Park SSSI has many different types of natural areas. These include a large pond, a type of wet woodland called carr woodland, boggy areas, wet heathland, and marshy grasslands. Each of these habitats provides a home for different kinds of plants and animals.
Amazing Animals You Might Find
This special place is home to a wide variety of small creatures without backbones, called invertebrates. Some of these are very rare in the UK. For example, you might find a snail called Omphiscola glabra. There are also two types of craneflies, Erioptera meijerei and Tipula marginata, which are also nationally rare.
The site is also a great spot for watching birds, especially those that live near water. Many water birds come here to breed and raise their young. You might see birds like water rails and great crested grebes enjoying the pond and surrounding areas.
Who Looks After This Area?
The Burton and Chingford Ponds Local Nature Reserve, which includes the SSSI, is managed by two important groups. The Sussex Wildlife Trust works to protect wildlife and wild places across Sussex. They work together with West Sussex County Council to make sure this natural area stays healthy and safe for all the creatures that live there.
