Bushley Muzzard, Brimpsfield facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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Example: Early Marsh Orchids growing in a nature reserve
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°49′07″N 2°04′55″W / 51.818748°N 2.081921°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1.13 hectare |
| Notification | 1984 |
Bushley Muzzard, Brimpsfield is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 1.13 hectares, which is roughly the size of two football fields. This area was officially recognized in 1984 as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a very important natural area because of its unique plants, animals, or geology.
This SSSI is located within the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a special title given to beautiful landscapes in England and Wales. The site used to be called Watercombe Marsh. It's one of only a few marshy areas found in the Cotswolds. It's home to many different kinds of plants, including some that are quite rare.
Bushley Muzzard, sometimes called Brimpsfield Bog, is also listed as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) in the local plan for the Cotswold District. This shows how important it is for protecting wildlife.
What Makes Bushley Muzzard Special?
Bushley Muzzard is protected because of the wide variety of plant species that grow there. It's like a natural treasure chest of different plants!
Special Plants to Discover
Some of the most interesting plants you can find here are different types of Sedge. Sedges are grass-like plants that often grow in wet places. At Bushley Muzzard, you can find at least eight different kinds of sedge.
- Star Sedge (Carex echinata)
- Yellow Sedge (C. lepidocarpa)
Another plant called Flat Sedge (Blysmus compressus) grows in large amounts here. You can also spot:
- Marsh Arrowgrass
- Water Mint
- Meadowsweet
Beautiful Orchid Species
Orchids are also a highlight at Bushley Muzzard. These beautiful flowers add to the site's unique charm.
- Early Marsh Orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata)
- Hybrid Marsh Orchids like D. fuchsii x incarnata and D. fuchsii x pratermissa
These hybrid orchids are special because they are a mix of two different orchid types. This makes them even more unique to this area.
