Coates Castle SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | West Sussex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 7.7 hectares (19 acres) |
| Notification | 1993 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Coates Castle SSSI is a special natural area located west of Pulborough in West Sussex, England. It covers about 7.7 hectares, which is roughly the size of 10 football fields. This site is known as a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" because it protects important wildlife.
Contents
What is a Site of Special Scientific Interest?
A "Site of Special Scientific Interest," or SSSI, is a protected area in the United Kingdom. These places are chosen because they have rare plants, animals, or unique natural features. The law helps to keep these areas safe. Coates Castle SSSI is important for its biological features, meaning its living things.
Why is Coates Castle SSSI Special?
Coates Castle SSSI is made up of three separate areas near Coates Castle. These areas are super important because they are the only known home in Britain for a very special insect. This insect is called the field cricket, or Gryllus campestris.
The Rare Field Cricket
The field cricket is a type of insect that looks a bit like a grasshopper. It is very rare in Britain. At Coates Castle SSSI, scientists believe there are about 200 of these crickets. This small number makes the site incredibly important for their survival.
Protecting Wildlife
Because the field cricket is so rare, it is protected by law. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 helps to keep these crickets safe. This act makes sure that important animals and plants are not harmed and that their homes are protected.
Visiting Coates Castle SSSI
This special site is on private land. This means that people cannot visit it. Keeping the area private helps to protect the field crickets and their habitat from being disturbed. It ensures that these rare insects can live safely and grow their population.
