Daneway Banks SSSI facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Example – green-winged orchid (Orchis morio)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°43′47″N 2°05′31″W / 51.72972°N 2.09189°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 17 ha (42 acres) |
| Notification | 1954 |
Daneway Banks is a special place in Gloucestershire, England. It's a 17-hectare (about 42-acre) area that's protected because of its amazing wildlife. It's called a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's one of the best places in the country for plants, animals, and habitats.
This important nature spot was first recognized in 1954. It's located near Sapperton and is part of a larger area of wildlife sites in the Frome Valley. Other nearby reserves include Siccaridge Wood and Sapperton Canal. Daneway Banks is also found within the beautiful Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the Royal Entomological Society work together to own and look after Daneway Banks. It's part of a group of nature reserves in an area known as Stroud's Golden Valley.
Contents
What Makes Daneway Banks Special?
Daneway Banks has different types of land, which helps many different plants and animals live there.
Different Types of Land
- Upper Slopes: These areas have oolitic limestone grassland. This type of rock is made of tiny round grains. This grassland is a very important home for many plants.
- Lower Slopes: At the bottom of the slopes, you'll find neutral grassland. This area has Fuller's earth clay, which is a type of soil. It's not as full of flowers but is great for animals to graze.
- Steep Scree Slope: This is a very steep, rocky area. It used to be a woodland. You can still find plants like angular Solomon's-seal, deadly nightshade, bluebell, and columbine here.
- Scrub and Woodland: These areas add to the variety of habitats.
Amazing Ant-Hills
One of the most noticeable things at Daneway Banks are the many large ant-hills. These are built by the yellow meadow ant. Some of these ant-hills can be as tall as a metre! In some parts of Gloucestershire, people call these ant-hills "emmet casts." "Emmet" is an old English word for ant.
Plants and Flowers
Daneway Banks is home to many beautiful and interesting plants.
Wildflowers to Spot
You might see colorful flowers like:
- kidney vetch
- pyramidal orchid
- wild thyme
- common rock-rose
- clustered bellflower
- A large number of green-winged orchids.
Some rarer plants also grow here, such as:
- cut-leaved germander
- slender bedstraw
- wild liquorice
Grasses of the Reserve
The limestone grassland mainly has upright brome grass. On the steeper parts, where animals don't graze as much, you'll find tor-grass. The grass can be quite tall and bushy in some areas. Where animals do graze, the grass is shorter and has more herbs. The neutral grassland has more false oat-grass and cock's foot.
Trees and Bushes
The reserve has different types of trees and bushes that provide shelter and food for wildlife.
Common Trees and Shrubs
You'll find bushes like hawthorn, blackthorn, and dog-rose scattered around. There are also some thick patches of these plants. A small woodland area has trees like beech, yew, and common whitebeam. Along the southern edge, there's a strip of hazel coppice (where trees are cut back to grow new shoots), field maple, and wild cherry.
Insects and Reptiles
Daneway Banks is a fantastic place for many small creatures, especially insects.
Butterflies and More
You can find many types of butterflies here, including:
- small blue
- marbled white
- dark green fritillary
- green hairstreak
There are also many moths, snails, spiders, and tiny creatures called false scorpions.
The Return of the Large Blue Butterfly
One of the most exciting stories at Daneway Banks is about the large blue butterfly. This beautiful butterfly sadly disappeared from the UK in the 1970s. It had been extinct in Gloucestershire since the 1960s. But in 2002, these rare butterflies were brought back to the reserve! This reintroduction is part of a big project by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) to help the large blue butterfly thrive again. You might be able to spot them between June and July.
Reptiles Basking in the Sun
The steep, rocky slope is a great place for reptiles to warm up in the sun. You might see adders (a type of snake) and common lizards here.
Birds of Daneway Banks
Many birds also make Daneway Banks their home, especially during breeding season.
Nesting Birds
Birds that breed here include:
- yellowhammer
- tree pipit
- redstart
Looking After Daneway Banks
People work hard to keep Daneway Banks a great place for wildlife.
Conservation Efforts
- Grazing: Sheep and cattle are allowed to graze in certain areas. This helps create both short and long grassy patches, which are good for different animals. Fences are used to divide the site into sections for this rotational grazing.
- Scrub Clearing: Some of the bushes and scrub are removed by hand. However, some thickets and tall posts are left for birds to use as nesting spots or places to sing.
- Protecting Rare Plants: The rare cut-leaved germander plant is encouraged to grow. Special open, rocky areas are created for it, and these areas are fenced off to protect the plant from rabbits. The cut-leaved germander is fully protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
Exploring the Golden Valley
There are special walks you can take to explore Daneway Banks and other nearby nature spots in the Golden Valley.
Nature Walks
A guide is available that describes walks for enjoying nature and seeing wildlife. It includes information about Daneway Banks and four other nearby nature reserves:
The walk also takes you through other old woodlands like Peyton's Grove, the village of Oakridge, Bakers Mill and Reservoir, Ashmeads Spring, and part of the old Thames and Severn Canal route.
Images for kids
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Green-winged orchid, an example of a flower found at Daneway Banks.
