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Calstone and Cherhill Downs facts for kids

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Calstone and Cherhill Downs is a very special natural area in Wiltshire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's protected because it has amazing plants and animals. It was officially recognized as a special site in 1971.

This area covers about 128.6 hectares, which is like 300 football fields! It's one of the best examples of natural, untouched grasslands in Wiltshire. These grasslands are often called "downland."

Where is it?

Calstone and Cherhill Downs is part of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This is a large area known for its beautiful landscapes. The site is on the western edge of the Marlborough Downs.

The land here is made of chalk. It has a flat top part, like a narrow table. From there, it drops steeply down to the north. To the south, the slope is more gentle.

The South-Facing Slopes

The south-facing side of the downs is very interesting. It has many narrow, dry valleys and dips. These areas are home to a mix of different plants.

You can find many types of grasses and other plants that love chalky soil. Some common ones include:

  • Glaucus sedge
  • Sheep’s-fescue
  • Meadow oat-grass
  • Heath-grass
  • Common quaking-grass

Other beautiful plants you might see are:

  • Cowslip
  • Salad burnet
  • Rock-rose
  • Betony
  • Field fleawort
  • Bastard-toadflax
  • Round-headed rampion
  • Small scabious
  • Devil’s-bit scabious
  • Horseshoe vetch
  • Kidney vetch
  • Chalk milkwort

Amazing Orchids

This area is also famous for its beautiful orchids! You can find several types here, including:

  • Early purple orchid
  • Burnt orchid
  • Fragrant orchid
  • Beeorchid
  • Frog orchid

The fragrant orchid, beeorchid, and frog orchid are quite common in this special place.

Wonderful Wildlife

Calstone and Cherhill Downs is a fantastic spot for insects and other small creatures. It's home to many different kinds of invertebrates.

Butterflies and Crickets

You might see some rare and interesting butterflies flying around, such as:

  • The Small blue butterfly
  • The Chalkhill blue butterfly
  • The Duke of Burgundy butterfly
  • The Marsh fritillary butterfly

Keep an eye out for the rare wart-biter bush cricket. There's also an uncommon bug called Sehirus dubius.

Snails and Dragonflies

The lime-loving heath snail Helicella itala also lives here.

There's a special pond called a dewpond that always has water. This pond is home to newts. You might also spot large insects like the Emperor dragonfly and the azure damselfly Coenagrion puella flying nearby.

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