Danbury Common facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Essex |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 70.2 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Danbury Common is a special natural area in Danbury, Essex, England. It covers about 70.2 hectares, which is like 100 football fields! It is officially known as a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI) because it's very important for its unique plants and animals.
Most of Danbury Common is "common land." This means it's land that local people have traditionally been able to use for things like grazing animals. Today, much of it is looked after by the National Trust, a charity that protects important places. Two parts of the common, called the Backwarden and Hitchcock's Meadows, are managed by the Essex Wildlife Trust as part of their Danbury Ridge Nature Reserves. These groups work hard to keep the common healthy and safe for wildlife.
What Makes Danbury Common Special?
Danbury Common is one of the biggest areas of heathland left in Essex. Heathland is a special type of open land with small shrubs. It also has other interesting areas:
- Bracken and Gorse Scrub: These are areas with tough, bushy plants.
- Woodland: There are parts with trees like oak and birch.
- Boggy Heath: Lower areas can be wet and marshy.
Plants You Might See
The common has a mix of different types of land, which means many different plants can grow there.
- Woodland Flowers: In the wooded areas, you can find pretty flowers like bluebells and anemones growing on the ground.
- Meadow Plants: The open meadows are home to some less common plants. Look out for meadow saxifrage and hoary cinquefoil. These plants are important for the local ecosystem.
Animals That Live Here
Danbury Common is also a great place for animals, especially insects.
- Rosy Marbled Moth: This common is the most important place in Britain for a special moth called the rosy marbled moth. It's a small, beautiful moth that relies on the plants found here.
- Ponds: There are several ponds across the common. These wet areas provide homes for many different creatures, including insects, frogs, and birds.
Danbury Common is a fantastic place to explore nature and see a variety of plants and animals in their natural home. It's a protected area so that future generations can continue to enjoy its beauty and unique wildlife.
