Chinnor Hill facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Oxfordshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 26.8 hectares (66 acres) |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Chinnor Hill is a special natural area in Oxfordshire, England. It covers about 26.8 hectares (66 acres) of land, which is roughly the size of 66 football fields! This site is officially known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, or SSSI. This means it's a very important place for wildlife and nature in the UK. The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust helps to look after it.
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What Makes Chinnor Hill Special?
Chinnor Hill is a fantastic place for nature because it has many different types of habitats. These are like different neighborhoods for plants and animals. You can find areas of rich grassland, thick scrub, and peaceful woodland.
A Home for Many Plants
The grassland on Chinnor Hill is very special. It's called "calcareous grassland" because the soil has a lot of lime, which comes from calcium carbonate. This type of soil helps many unique plants to grow. Scientists have found over 300 different kinds of plants here! Some of these are "vascular plants," which means they have special tissues to carry water and nutrients, just like most plants you know.
Birds That Live Here
Chinnor Hill is also a busy place for birds. About 65 different kinds of birds have been seen here. Many small songbirds, called "passerines," build their nests and raise their young in the scrub areas. In the winter, you might see birds like redwings and fieldfares. These birds, which are types of thrushes, fly here from colder places to find food. They love to eat the berries that grow on the bushes.
Who Looks After Chinnor Hill?
The Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust manages Chinnor Hill. They work hard to protect this amazing natural space. Their job is to make sure the different habitats stay healthy so that all the plants and animals can continue to thrive. This helps to keep Chinnor Hill a wonderful place for nature for many years to come.
