Hawkley Warren facts for kids
Hawkley Warren is a special woodland area in Hampshire, England. It's located near the village of Hawkley, not far from Petersfield. This unique place sits in a deep, bowl-shaped valley made of chalk.
It is owned by Hampshire County Council. They work with the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust to manage it as a nature reserve. This means they protect the plants and animals living there. They also use a method called coppicing to keep open spaces in the woods. Coppicing involves cutting trees down to ground level to encourage new shoots to grow.
What Hawkley Warren Looks Like
This woodland is mostly filled with tall Beech trees. On some of the steeper hillsides, you might see many Yew trees. In the deeper parts of the valley, where the soil is richer, the woods are more open. Here, you will find trees like Ash and Hazel.
Amazing Plants of Hawkley Warren
Hawkley Warren is famous for its rare plants. It is one of only three places in Britain where the beautiful Red Helleborine orchid still grows. This special orchid likes to grow on slopes that face northwest.
The Rare Red Helleborine
The Red Helleborine Cephalanthera rubra was first found here in 1986. It was discovered by two botanists, K. Turner and Ralph Hollins. The only other places in Britain where you can find this orchid are Workman's Wood in Gloucestershire and Windsor Hill SSSI in Buckinghamshire.
Other Interesting Plants
Besides the Red Helleborine, other types of orchids grow under the beech trees. These include the Bird's-nest Orchid, Early Purple Orchid, and Narrow-leaved Helleborine. You can also find a plant called Spurge-laurel here. In the valley bottom, look for Ramsons, which are wild garlic plants. Another interesting plant found here is Herb Paris.
Animals Living in Hawkley Warren
This nature reserve is home to various small creatures. One special animal found here is the Mountain Bulin snail. Its scientific name is Ena montana.
