Tudor Farm Bank facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
Example - large thyme (Thymus pulegioides)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°46′13″N 2°37′10″W / 51.77039°N 2.619492°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 3.68 hectare |
| Notification | 1999 |
Tudor Farm Bank is a special nature area in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 3.68 hectares, which is roughly the size of five football fields! This area was officially recognized as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1999 because of its important plants and animals.
Contents
Where is Tudor Farm Bank?
This special site is located in the village of Clearwell. Clearwell is on the western edge of the Forest of Dean in west Gloucestershire. Another important nature area, the Old Bow and Old Ham Mines SSSI, is also nearby.
Tudor Farm Bank is thought to be the largest remaining grassland of its kind in the area. It sits on a small slope that faces south-west, getting lots of sunshine. The ground here is made of Carboniferous limestone rocks. These limestones are found all around the Forest of Dean.
The site is protected because of its special "calcareous grassland." This type of grassland grows on soil that has a lot of lime, which comes from the limestone rocks. You can also find areas of "neutral grassland" at the bottom of the slope and to the west. There are also places where the limestone rocks stick out of the ground.
Amazing Plants at Tudor Farm Bank
The special grassland at Tudor Farm Bank is home to many interesting plants.
Grassland Plants
Some of the grasses you might see include sheep's fescue, quaking grass, and glaucous sedge. There are also many beautiful flowering plants, such as:
- rock-rose
- restharrow
- Carline thistle
- common milkwort
- dwarf thistle
- yellow-wort
- fairy flax
- wild thyme
- large thyme (Thymus pulegioides)
You will find lots of thyme and common knapweed here. This is very common for this type of grassland.
Neutral Grassland Plants
The areas with neutral grassland also have their own mix of plants. These include:
- crested dog's-tail
- common knapweed
- red fescue
- yellow oat-grass
- meadow vetchling
- common bird's-foot-trefoil
- yarrow
- ribwort
Scrub and Woodland Plants
In some parts of the site, small bushes and trees have grown, creating a "scrub" area. This area supports a different range of plants like:
- hawthorn
- blackthorn
- bramble
- dog's mercury
- cuckoo-pint
- hart's-tongue fern
- primrose
A very rare plant found here is the stinking hellebore.
Animals of Tudor Farm Bank
The different plants and habitats at Tudor Farm Bank attract many kinds of invertebrates, especially butterflies.
Butterflies and Insects
You might spot these butterflies flying around:
- large skipper
- ringlet
- marbled white
- common blue
The yellow meadow ant also lives and thrives on this bank, building its nests in the grassland.
