Frieth Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Buckinghamshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 2.5 hectares |
| Notification | 1986 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Frieth Meadows is a special place in Buckinghamshire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique plants and animals. This beautiful area covers about 2.5 hectares, which is roughly the size of five football fields! It's also part of the amazing Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, a protected landscape.
Contents
What Makes Frieth Meadows Special?
Frieth Meadows became a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986. An SSSI is like a special nature reserve. The government protects these places because they have rare wildlife, plants, or important geological features. Frieth Meadows is protected for its amazing plant life and the creatures that live there.
A Home for Unique Plants
The meadows at Frieth are very old and have been managed in a traditional way for many years. This means they haven't been changed by modern farming methods, which helps special plants grow. The soil here can be neutral or slightly acidic, which is perfect for certain types of wildflowers.
Some of the cool plants you might find here include:
- Quaking grass: This grass has delicate, heart-shaped seed heads that tremble or "quake" in the slightest breeze.
- Green-winged orchid: A beautiful and somewhat rare orchid with purple flowers that have distinctive green veins on their petals.
- Lousewort: Despite its funny name, this plant has pretty pink or purple flowers.
- Devil's bit scabious: This plant has lovely purple-blue flowers that attract many insects.
Wildlife in the Meadows
The plants in Frieth Meadows provide a great home for many different animals. The long grasses and wildflowers are perfect for insects. You can find a wide range of invertebrates here, which are creatures without backbones. These include butterflies, bees, beetles, and spiders.
The edges of the meadows have hedgerows. These are like natural fences made of bushes and small trees. Hedgerows are super important because they offer shelter and food for small mammals like mice and voles. They also provide safe places for birds to build their nests and raise their young.
Visiting Frieth Meadows
Frieth Meadows is a protected area, and there is no public access directly into the site. This helps to keep the plants and animals safe and undisturbed. However, you can still enjoy views of this beautiful meadow from Shogmoor Lane, which runs alongside it. It's a great spot to see nature thriving!
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