Rack Marsh facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
 |
|
| Area of Search | Bagnor, Berkshire |
|---|---|
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 4 hectares (9.9 acres) |
| Notification | 1996 |
| Location map | DEFRA |
Rack Marsh is a special nature reserve in Bagnor, near Newbury in Berkshire. It's about 4 hectares (9.9 acres) in size. This amazing place is looked after by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.
Rack Marsh is part of a bigger area called the Kennet and Lambourn Floodplain. This floodplain is so important that it's been named a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its unique plants and animals. It's also part of a Special Area of Conservation, which gives it even more protection.
Contents
Exploring Rack Marsh's Landscape
Rack Marsh is an old, wet meadow. Imagine a soft, spongy ground! This is because a thick layer of peat has formed here. Peat is made from old, decayed plants. It sits on top of gravel and soil brought by the river.
The River Lambourn flows right through the meadow. This river helps keep the marsh wet and healthy for all the creatures living there.
A Glimpse into Rack Marsh's Past
Rack Marsh has a long history, even before people started writing things down.
Ancient Discoveries
Long ago, people lived near Rack Marsh. We know this because a very old canoe was found here. Workers were digging a ditch when they discovered it deep in the peat layer. This shows that people used the area for travel or fishing many, many years ago.
Protecting the Marsh
In 1996, something very important happened. A tiny, rare snail called the Desmoulin's whorl snail was found at Rack Marsh. This discovery almost stopped a big road project, the Newbury bypass. People wanted to protect the snail's home.
However, the road was eventually built. Because of this, Rack Marsh became smaller. It lost about half of its land. But even with less space, it remains a vital home for many species.
Animals of Rack Marsh
Rack Marsh is home to many different animals, especially small creatures and birds.
Tiny Invertebrates
- Desmoulin's whorl snail: This tiny snail is super rare. Finding it here shows how special Rack Marsh is!
Feathered Friends
Many birds love to visit or live at Rack Marsh. They find food and safe places to nest.
- Common chiffchaff: A small bird known for its "chiff-chaff" song.
- Grey heron: A tall, elegant bird often seen standing still in the water, waiting for fish.
- Common kingfisher: A bright, colourful bird that dives into the water to catch fish.
- Eurasian reed warbler: A small bird that lives in the reeds and sings a chattering song.
- Sedge warbler: Another small bird that likes marshy areas and has a varied song.
- Common whitethroat: A common bird with a scratchy song, often found in bushes.
- Barn owl: A beautiful owl that hunts at night, often seen flying silently over fields.
Plants of Rack Marsh
The wet conditions at Rack Marsh create a perfect home for many interesting plants.
Wetland Plants
Here are some of the plants you might find growing in the marshy areas:
- Filipendula ulmaria: A plant with creamy-white flowers that smell sweet.
- Trifolium pratense: Also known as red clover, a common plant with pinkish-red flowers.
- Lychnis flos-cuculi: Called "ragged-robin" because its pink petals look torn.
- Caltha palustris: Known as marsh marigold, with bright yellow flowers.
- Scutellaria galericulata: Called skullcap, with blue-purple flowers.
- Geum rivale: Water avens, a plant with nodding, bell-shaped flowers.
- Scrophularia auriculata: Water figwort, a plant with small, reddish-brown flowers.
- Myosotis scorpioides: Forget-me-not, with tiny blue flowers.
- Mentha aquatica: Water mint, a fragrant plant found near water.
- Angelica sylvestris: Wild angelica, a tall plant with umbrella-like clusters of white flowers.
- Triglochin palustris: Marsh arrowgrass, a slender plant found in wet places.
- Dactylorhiza praetermissa: Southern marsh-orchid, a beautiful purple orchid.
- Marsh valerian: A plant with clusters of pale pink flowers.
