Clarke's Pool Meadow SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Green winged orchids in a nature reserve (Orchis morio)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°45′11″N 2°28′54″W / 51.753053°N 2.481631°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1.8 hectare |
| Notification | 1997 |
Clarke's Pool Meadow is a very special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's a nature reserve that covers about 1.8 hectares, which is like two and a half football fields! This meadow was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1997. This means it's a protected area because of its important plants, animals, or geology.
The meadow sits on a flat area called 'Old Hill', close to a village named Blakeney. The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust bought these two fields in 1997 to help protect them. It's one of the best examples of a traditional hay meadow left in Gloucestershire. Many similar meadows have disappeared because of modern farming methods. The ground here is made of Old Red Sandstone. This special type of rock helps create a unique mix of plants that grow in the grass.
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Amazing Plants
This meadow is famous for its incredible flowers. In May, you can see thousands of green-winged orchids. There are so many, people estimate around 45,000 of them! It's a huge group of these beautiful orchids for this part of Gloucestershire.
Springtime Blooms
Other lovely flowers also bloom in the late spring. You might spot common twayblade and adder's-tongue. There are also bright yellow cowslips and pretty blue bluebells. Look closely for pignut too!
Summer Meadow
As summer arrives, the grasses and flowers grow taller. They are then cut to make hay. This hay is important for farm animals. After the hay is cut, even more plants appear. You can find quaking-grass and common knapweed. There's also meadow vetchling and downy oat-grass. Other flowers include field scabious, meadow buttercup, and yellow-rattle. You might also see oxeye daisy and common bird's-foot trefoil. Look out for goat's-beard, fairy flax, and Devil's-bit scabious. After the hay is collected, Meadow saffron flowers start to bloom.
Wildlife Wonders
Clarke's Pool Meadow isn't just for plants. The different kinds of plants, along with the wide hedges and rough edges of the fields, create a great home for many animals.
Tiny Creatures and More
Lots of different invertebrates live here. These are small creatures like insects and spiders. The meadow also supports small mammals. These animals then become food for predators. For example, barn owls often hunt in the meadow. They are amazing birds that help keep the ecosystem balanced.
Protecting This Special Place
To keep Clarke's Pool Meadow healthy, people use traditional methods. One important method is cutting the hay. After the hay is cut, sheep are allowed to graze in the meadow. This helps to keep the grass at the right height and encourages different plants to grow. The hedges around the fields are also looked after. They are made of natural plants and provide homes and food for many animals. This careful management helps make sure the meadow stays a special place for years to come.
