Cavenham–Icklingham Heaths facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
The River Lark near Icklingham
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| Area of Search | Suffolk |
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| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 419.0 hectares |
| Notification | 1998 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Cavenham–Icklingham Heaths is a very special nature area in Suffolk, England. It covers about 419 hectares, which is like 1,000 football fields! This site is west of a village called Icklingham. It is protected because it has important wildlife and habitats.
This area is known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for its plants, animals, or geology. Part of it, Cavenham Heath, is also a National Nature Reserve. These are places where nature is protected and studied.
Contents
Why is Cavenham–Icklingham Heaths Special?
This area is super important for nature. It's part of a bigger protected zone called Breckland. This includes a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). These titles mean the area is protected under European Union rules. The SPA part specifically helps protect wild birds.
Amazing Habitats and Wildlife
Cavenham–Icklingham Heaths has many different types of natural areas. You can find:
- Heathland: Open areas with small shrubs like heather.
- Grassland: Fields of grass.
- Woodland: Areas with trees.
- Fen: Wet, marshy areas, often found near the River Lark.
These different habitats mean many kinds of plants and animals can live here.
Rare Plants and Tiny Creatures
This site is famous for its tiny creatures, called invertebrates. These are animals without backbones, like insects and spiders. Many rare and endangered invertebrates live here. This means they are not found in many other places and need protection.
You can also find special plants here:
- Lichens and Mosses: These small plants grow in the acid grassland areas.
- Rare Flora: This means there are plants that are not common anywhere else in the country.
- Bryophytes: This group includes mosses and liverworts. Some types found here are nationally scarce, meaning they are rare in the UK.
Visiting Cavenham–Icklingham Heaths
If you want to explore this special place, you can! There are footpaths that cross the site, starting from Icklingham. These paths let you see the different habitats and maybe even spot some of the amazing wildlife.
