Clipsham Old Quarry and Pickworth Great Wood facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Pickworth Great Wood
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| Area of Search | Rutland |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological Geological |
| Area | 111.2 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Clipsham Old Quarry and Pickworth Great Wood is a special place in Rutland, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it has important plants, animals, or rocks that need to be protected.
This area is about 111 hectares, which is like 275 football fields! It's located southeast of Clipsham and north of Pickworth. The site is important for both its living things (biological) and its rocks (geological).
Contents
What Makes This Place Special?
This SSSI is actually two main parts: Clipsham Old Quarry and Pickworth Great Wood. Both parts are very important for different reasons.
Clipsham Old Quarry is a "Geological Conservation Review" site. This means its rocks are super important for understanding Earth's history. Pickworth Great Wood is a large forest. It is looked after by the Forestry Commission, which manages forests in the UK.
Exploring Pickworth Great Wood
Pickworth Great Wood is one of the biggest forests in the county where trees lose their leaves in autumn (deciduous). It's a fantastic home for many different kinds of birds. You can find a wide variety of birds nesting and living here.
The wood is also a paradise for moths! Over 150 different types of moths have been found living in Pickworth Great Wood. This shows how healthy and diverse the forest environment is.
Uncovering Clipsham Old Quarry
Clipsham Old Quarry is a very interesting place for plants and rocks. It has thick areas of hawthorn bushes. There are also grassy areas on limestone rock.
Many special plants that love lime-rich soil grow here. These include plants like dwarf thistle and yellow-wort.
The quarry is also like a window into the past. It shows rocks from about 170 million years ago! These rocks are part of the Lincolnshire Limestone formation. They formed during a time called the Bajocian period. Studying these rocks helps scientists understand what the Earth was like long ago.
Visiting the Area
You can visit Pickworth Great Wood and explore its trails. It's a great place for a walk and to enjoy nature. However, Clipsham Old Quarry is not open to the public. This helps protect its special plants and geological features.
