Ham Street Woods facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Kent |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 175.2 hectares (433 acres) |
| Notification | 1989 |
| Location map | Magic Map |
Ham Street Woods is a very special forest located south of Ashford in Kent, England. It covers a large area of about 175 hectares (that's like 433 football fields!). This woodland is protected because it's a "Site of Special Scientific Interest" (SSSI) and also a "National Nature Reserve."
This means Ham Street Woods is one of the best places in the country for wildlife. It's a fantastic spot to learn about nature and see some amazing plants and animals.
Contents
What Makes Ham Street Woods Special?
Ham Street Woods is not just any forest; it's a very old "semi-natural" woodland. This means it has grown mostly on its own for over 400 years! Imagine trees that were growing when Shakespeare was alive!
A Home for Tiny Creatures
One of the most exciting things about Ham Street Woods is its incredible variety of invertebrates. These are small animals without backbones, like insects, spiders, and worms. The woods are home to many different kinds of these "creepy crawlies."
The Importance of Dead Wood
You might think dead trees are useless, but in Ham Street Woods, they are super important! Dead wood provides homes and food for many rare species. There are 12 types of rare or scarce insects that specifically live in dead wood here.
Meet the Rare Beetle
One of the most famous residents is a nationally rare beetle called Tomoxia biguttata. This special beetle depends on the dead wood found in the forest to survive. Finding it here shows how healthy and important this woodland is for nature.
Visiting Ham Street Woods
If you love exploring nature, Ham Street Woods is a great place to visit. You can access the woods from a well-known walking path called the Greensand Way. This path goes right through the site, making it easy to discover the beauty and wildlife of this ancient forest.
