Pennsylvania Fields, Sedbury facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Sea arrowgrass (Triglochin maritima)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°38′01″N 2°39′45″W / 51.633488°N 2.662415°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 27.03 hectare |
| Notification | 1985 |
Pennsylvania Fields, Sedbury is a special natural area in Gloucestershire, England. It's known as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) because of its unique plants and animals. This area covers about 27 hectares (that's like 50 football fields!). It was officially recognized as important in 1985. It's also listed as a Key Wildlife Site in the 'Forest of Dean Local Plan Review', meaning it's super important for local wildlife.
Contents
Discovering Pennsylvania Fields
This amazing natural spot is located in the Forest of Dean, close to the village of Sedbury. It's a very special kind of grassland called brackish pasture. This means the soil has a mix of fresh and salty water. The ground here is made of alluvia soil, which is rich soil left behind by rivers.
A Unique Location
Pennsylvania Fields sits right next to the lower part of the River Wye. This part of the river is tidal, meaning its water level goes up and down with the ocean tides. When the highest tides (called spring tides) come in, they flood these fields. This makes the area truly unique in all of Gloucestershire.
How the Fields are Used
The area is a collection of fields. These fields have many narrow waterways called rhines and ditches filled with water. For a long time, farmers have used this land for grazing animals, especially during the summer months. This traditional grazing helps to keep the special plants and habitats healthy.
Amazing Plants of Pennsylvania Fields
The unique mix of fresh and salty water, along with the regular flooding, creates a perfect home for many interesting plants. Some of these plants are quite rare!
Grasses and Rushes
In the pasture, you can find different types of grasses and rushes. These include:
- Mud rush
- Meadow barley
- Red fescue
- Marsh foxtail
- The very rare bulbous foxtail
Saltmarsh Specialists
Because the fields get flooded by salty river water, many plants that love salt (called saltmarsh plants) grow here. Look out for:
- Sea arrowgrass
- Sea milkwort
- Sea aster
- Greater sea-spurrey
- Lesser sea-spurrey
Rare Dandelions and Water Plants
You might also spot some very rare types of dandelions here, like the narrow-leaved marsh dandelions (Taraxacum palustre and T. anglicum). In areas where the land becomes more marshy, other special plants thrive. The drainage ditches are also home to their own unique set of plants. For example, the brackish water-crowfoot (Ranunculus baudotii) can be found along the edges of some fields.
Wildlife of Pennsylvania Fields
This special habitat is not just for plants; it's also a great place for animals, especially birds and insects.
Bird Life and Reproduction
Two important bird species, the redshank and the lapwing, choose Pennsylvania Fields as their breeding ground. This means they build their nests and raise their young here. Their presence shows how healthy and important this natural area is for wildlife.
Insects in the Ditches
The water-filled ditches are perfect for many insects. Several kinds of damselflies live and flourish here. One common type you might see is the azure damselfly. These delicate insects add to the rich biodiversity of the site.
