Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Eaglehead Copse
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| Area of Search | Isle of Wight |
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| Grid reference | SZ584877 |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 10.3 hectares |
| Notification | 1987 |
| Location map | Natural England |
Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses is a special natural area on the Isle of Wight. It covers about 10.3 hectares (which is about 25 acres). This site is located south of Ashey and was officially recognized in 1987. It's important because of its amazing plants and animals.
This beautiful woodland follows a stream at the bottom of Ashey Down. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust owns and looks after this area. They work hard to protect and help local wildlife, especially red squirrels.
Contents
Exploring Eaglehead and Bloodstone Copses
This section will tell you more about the interesting features and history of this special place.
The Mystery of the Red Stream
There's a cool story about the stream that runs through Bloodstone Copse. People say its stones are stained red from a battle long ago between the Saxons and the Danes. However, scientists believe the red color comes from a type of red algae. Even so, it's hard to find this algae today!
A Strategic Valley for Battles
The valley where the stream flows was a very important place in the past. It formed a natural barrier, making it hard for enemies to attack Carisbrooke Castle. This made it a likely spot for ancient battles. For example, it might have been where the Saxons and Jutes fought in 686 CE. In that battle, King Arwald was killed by King Caedwalla.
Ancient Discoveries at Bloodstone Copse
In 1995, an interesting item was found at Bloodstone Copse. It was a special type of Brooch shaped like a cross. This brooch was brought to the Isle of Wight Archaeological Centre.
What the Brooch Tells Us
Experts believe the brooch came from an Early Anglo-Saxon cemetery. It might have been part of a burial from that time. This cemetery was possibly located uphill from where the brooch was found. It could even have been a later burial within an older Bronze Age cemetery. These finds help us learn about the people who lived here long ago.
