Castor Hanglands National Nature Reserve facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Cambridgeshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 89.8 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Castor Hanglands is a special natural area located west of Peterborough in Cambridgeshire, England. It covers about 89.8 hectares, which is like 220 football fields! This site is very important for its amazing plants and animals. Because of this, it has been given several special protections.
It is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a place the government protects because of its unique wildlife or geology. Castor Hanglands is also a National Nature Reserve, which is an even higher level of protection. It's managed by Natural England, an organization that helps protect England's natural environment.
Contents
What Makes Castor Hanglands Special?
Castor Hanglands is a mix of different habitats. These include ancient woodlands, open grasslands, and areas with bushes and shrubs. Each of these parts provides a home for different kinds of wildlife.
Ancient Woodlands
The woodlands here are very old, with trees like ash and maple. These old forests are important because they have been around for a long time. They offer a stable home for many creatures.
Unique Grasslands
The grasslands at Castor Hanglands are called "unimproved." This means they haven't been changed by farming or chemicals. This allows many different types of wildflowers and grasses to grow naturally.
Amazing Wildlife
Castor Hanglands is a fantastic place for many different animals, especially tiny ones!
Invertebrates
The site is home to many invertebrates, which are animals without backbones. This includes insects like beetles, spiders, and snails. Some of these invertebrates are quite rare in the UK.
Rare Plants
You can find some very special and rare plants growing here. These include:
- Crested cow-wheat
- Lesser water-plantain
- Man orchid
- Narrow-leaved water dropwort
Beautiful Butterflies
If you visit, you might spot some beautiful woodland butterflies. Keep an eye out for:
- Silver-washed fritillary
- Purple hairstreak
- White admiral
Pond Life
The ponds and ditches at Castor Hanglands are full of life too. They are home to many aquatic fauna, which are animals that live in water. One important resident is the Great crested newt, a protected amphibian.
Visiting Castor Hanglands
You can visit this wonderful nature reserve! To get there, you can go south along Heath Road from Helpston. Continue straight at the crossroads, and then follow a track heading west to reach the reserve. It's a great place to explore and learn about nature.
