Draycott Sleights facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°15′47″N 2°44′31″W / 51.263°N 2.742°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 61.95 hectares (0.62 km2; 0.24 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1987 |
Draycott Sleights is a very special nature spot in Somerset, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique plants, animals, or geology. It was officially recognized as important in 1987.
This amazing place is part of the Mendip Hills, a beautiful area in the countryside. It covers about 62 hectares, which is like 150 football fields! It's a fantastic place for nature lovers and scientists alike.
Contents
What is Draycott Sleights?
Draycott Sleights is a large nature reserve managed by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. It's made up of two main parts: Draycott Sleights itself and Draycott Housegrounds. The entire area is within the Mendip Hills, which is a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). This means the landscape is so beautiful and important that it's given special protection.
Where is this special place?
You can find Draycott Sleights about 3.5 kilometers (2 miles) southeast of Cheddar. It sits on the steep slopes of the Mendip Hills, facing towards the southwest. The land here goes from about 90 meters (295 feet) high to 270 meters (886 feet) high. This varied landscape creates many different homes for plants and animals.
Why is Draycott Sleights important?
Draycott Sleights is super important because it has large areas of special grassland. This grassland is called calcareous grassland. It's rich in different plant species and has been managed in traditional ways for a long time. This helps many rare and interesting creatures to live there.
Amazing Plants and Flowers
Scientists have found 165 different kinds of flowering plants at Draycott Sleights. Imagine all the colors and shapes! These plants are important because they provide food and shelter for many insects and other animals. The way the land slopes and the scattered bushes also create perfect spots for different types of wildlife.
Incredible Insects and Butterflies
This site is a paradise for insects, especially butterflies! Because of the special grassland, many different kinds of butterflies thrive here. So far, 32 different types of butterflies that live and breed in the area have been recorded.
Some of the most exciting butterfly species found here include:
- The Adonis blue (Lysandra bellargus)
- The silver-studded blue (Plebejus argus)
- The small blue (Cupido minimus)
These butterflies are quite special and not found everywhere.
Rare and Unique Creatures
It's not just butterflies that make Draycott Sleights unique. Scientists have also found some very rare insects here. For example, two types of flies that are nationally scarce have been recorded:
- Symphoromyia immaculata
- Bombylius canescens
Also, a nationally scarce species of ant, Myrmica schencki, calls this place home. Finding these rare species shows just how important it is to protect Draycott Sleights. It's a true treasure for biodiversity!
