Easton Farm Meadow facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 1.6 hectares (4.0 acres) |
| Notification | 1985 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Easton Farm Meadow is a special natural area in Berkshire, England. It's about the size of two football fields (1.6 hectares or 4 acres). This place is protected because it's home to many important plants and animals. It's part of the beautiful North Wessex Downs.
Contents
What is Easton Farm Meadow?
Easton Farm Meadow is a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI). This means it's a very important place for nature in the UK. It was officially recognized as an SSSI in 1985. The site is protected to make sure its unique plants and animals can thrive.
The Land and Its History
This area is mostly flat, grassy land. It's called 'neutral grassland' because the soil isn't too acidic or too alkaline. This special soil allows many different kinds of plants to grow here.
Long ago, the fields around Easton Farm were managed in a special way. They were known as 'floated' water meadows. This meant farmers would carefully flood the land with water from nearby rivers. This helped the grass grow better for their animals, especially in spring.
Animals of the Meadow
Easton Farm Meadow is home to many interesting creatures. Here are some of the animals you might find:
Birds
- Snipe: This is a shy bird with a long beak. It likes wet areas and is very good at hiding in the grass.
Insects and Other Small Creatures
- Silis ruficollis: This is a type of beetle.
- Zicrona caerulea: Another cool beetle you might find.
- Subcoccinella vigintiquatuorpunctata: This is also known as the 24-spot ladybird. It's different from the common red ladybug you might know.
- Nemotelus pantherinus: You might also see this type of fly here.
Plants of the Meadow
The meadow is full of diverse plant life. Many different types of flowers and grasses grow here. Some of the plants you can find include:
- Caltha palustris (Marsh-marigold)
- Eleocharis palustris (Common Spike-rush)
- Filipendula ulmaria (Meadowsweet)
- Angelica sylvestris (Wild Angelica)
- Cirsium palustre (Marsh Thistle)
- Galium uliginosum (Fen Bedstraw)
- Lychnis flos-cuculi (Ragged-robin)
- Holcus lanatus (Yorkshire Fog)
- Valeriana dioica (Marsh Valerian)
- Carex panicea (Carnation Sedge)
- Carex nigra (Common Sedge)
- Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Iris)
- Rumex hydrolapathum (Water Dock)
- Carex acutiformis (Lesser Pond-sedge)
- Carex paniculata (Greater Tussock-sedge)
- Dactylorhiza praetermissa (Southern Marsh-orchid)
- Dactylorhiza incarnata (Early Marsh-orchid)
- Blysmus compressus (Flat-sedge)
