Winson Meadows facts for kids
| Site of Special Scientific Interest | |
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Example - Meadowsweet growing in marsh (Filipendula ulmaria)
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| Area of Search | Gloucestershire |
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| Coordinates | 51°46′19″N 1°51′57″W / 51.771947°N 1.865896°W |
| Interest | Biological |
| Area | 7.93 hectare |
| Notification | 1974 |
Winson Meadows is a special natural area in Gloucestershire, England. It covers about 7.93 hectares, which is roughly the size of 10 football fields! This site was officially recognized in 1974 as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Being an SSSI means that Winson Meadows is very important for its plants, animals, or geology. It's protected by law to make sure its unique features are kept safe. The area is also known as a Key Wildlife Site (KWS) in the local plans, showing how valuable it is for nature.
Discovering Winson Meadows: Location and Habitat
Winson Meadows is found in the beautiful Cotswolds, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Imagine two grassy fields right next to each other, sitting on the flat land next to the River Coln. This flat land is called a floodplain, which means it can sometimes get covered by river water.
These meadows are special because they are "unimproved." This means they haven't been changed by farming methods like adding fertilizers or planting new types of grass. Because of this, they have a lot of different natural plants.
Wet and Wonderful Meadows
One of the meadows, the southern one, is always wet. It's like a true "water meadow." You can even see old ditches there, which show how people used to manage the water long ago. This helped the grass grow better for animals to eat.
The northern meadow is not as wet, but it's still very natural. Both meadows are home to many types of grasses. You might find Meadow Foxtail, Yorkshire Fog, Crested Dog's-tail, and Cocksfoot. Some parts that have been slightly changed might also have perennial Rye grass.
Plants of the Marsh
In the marshy, wet parts of the meadows, you'll discover even more interesting plants. Look out for Jointed Rush and the lovely Meadowsweet with its creamy white flowers.
Other colorful plants that grow here include the bright Yellow Flag Iris, the pink Ragged Robin, and the cheerful Marsh Marigold. If you're lucky, you might even spot the beautiful Southern Marsh Orchid, which is a type of wild orchid. These plants thrive in the wet conditions, making Winson Meadows a fantastic place for nature lovers.
