Street Heath facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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| Area of Search | Somerset |
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| Coordinates | 51°09′05″N 2°46′04″W / 51.15134°N 2.76772°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 12.5 hectares (0.125 km2; 0.048 sq mi) |
| Notification | 1966 |
Street Heath is a special nature area in Somerset, England. It covers about 12.5 hectares (which is like 31 football fields!). This area is important because it has many rare plants and animals. It was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1966.
Street Heath is located about 4 kilometers west of Glastonbury. It sits right next to the Glastonbury Canal and another nature reserve called Ham Wall. Street Heath is also known as a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its wildlife and natural beauty.
Contents
What Makes Street Heath Special?
Street Heath is a nature reserve that is looked after by the Somerset Wildlife Trust. It's a great example of the types of natural areas that used to be very common on the Somerset Levels. This reserve has a mix of different habitats, which are like different types of homes for plants and animals.
Diverse Habitats
The area includes both wet and dry heathland. Heathland is a type of open land with low-growing plants. There are also areas of species-rich bog, which is a very wet, spongy ground. You can also find carr woodland, which is a type of forest that grows in wet, marshy places. All these different habitats blend into each other, creating a rich environment.
Rare Plants to Discover
Street Heath is home to some special and rare plants. You might find the marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), which loves wet places. Another rare plant is the royal fern (Osmunda regalis), known for its large and impressive fronds.
Old areas where peat was dug out, and small ditches called rhynes, have become wetlands. These wet areas are perfect for plants like bulrush (Typha latifolia), yellow flag iris (pseudacorus), and cyperus-like sedge (Carex pseudocyperus). You might also spot the lesser bur-reed (Sparganium minimum).
Amazing Insects and Birds
The reserve is a buzzing place for insects! Experts have recorded 33 different types of butterflies here. There are also about 200 kinds of moths and 12 species of grasshoppers and crickets. Many of these insects are rare and important.
Birds also love the carr woodland at Street Heath. One special bird that breeds here is the local willow tit. This small bird is known for its unique call and its preference for wet woodlands.
Images for kids
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The Glastonbury Canal next to Street Heath.
