Cleaves Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Avon |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°19′01″N 2°20′55″W / 51.31699°N 2.34863°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 99.77 acres (0.4038 km2; 0.15589 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1988 |
Cleaves Wood is a special natural area in Bath and North East Somerset, near the village of Wellow. It's officially known as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected place because of its unique plants, animals, and natural features. It was first recognized as an SSSI in 1988.
What Makes Cleaves Wood Special?
Cleaves Wood covers about 40 hectares. That's like 100 football fields! It's an ancient woodland, meaning it has been a forest for a very long time. The trees here are mostly deciduous, which means they lose their leaves in autumn. The ground is made of limestone, which helps certain plants grow.
Besides the trees, there are also areas of grassland. Rabbits often graze here, creating a mix of short and taller grassy spots. There are also some wetter areas, adding to the different types of habitats found in the wood.
A Home for Rare Plants
This wood is home to many different kinds of trees and shrubs. One very special plant found here is the spiked star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum). It's a nationally scarce plant, meaning it's not found in many places across the country.
Other rare plants that grow in Cleaves Wood include the beautiful fly orchid and the cheerful wild daffodil.
Amazing Insects and Animals
Because Cleaves Wood has so many different types of habitats, it's a great place for many different invertebrates. These are animals without backbones, like insects and snails.
You can find two nationally rare insects here:
- The beetle Osphya bipunctata
- The hoverfly Cheilosia nigripes
Twenty-seven different types of butterflies have been seen in the wood! This includes the nationally scarce Duke of Burgundy (Hamearis lucina). A rare moth called Blomer's rivulet (Discoloxia blomeri) has also been recorded here.
Other rare species living in Cleaves Wood include:
- The snail Ena montana
- The hoverfly Xanthogramma citrofasciatum
- Several different types of beetles
