Chudleigh Knighton Heath
Encyclopedia
Chudleigh Knighton Heath, near Chudleigh Knighton
, Devon
is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so designated because of its rare lowland heath vegetation. It is a habitat for many rare species including the ant, Formica exsecta. This is one of only two wild colonies in England, the other being at Bovey Heath
.
The site is leased by the Devon Wildlife Trust
from Sibelco
formerly WBB Minerals. The Trust have created several ponds noted for 12 breeding species of dragonfly including the scarce Keeled Skimmer
.
The Heath was once the village's main football pitch and was the venue for many sports days for Chudleigh Knighton Church of England Primary School. However the pitch fell into disrepair and was unsuitable for sporting activities, so the School opened its own private sports field opposite to the village play park. The football pitch is now used by local dog walkers, the football posts are still standing today, though they are a little rusty.
Chudleigh Knighton
Chudleigh Knighton is a small village in Devon, England, near to Newton Abbot and Bovey Tracey.-Amenities:Chudleigh Knighton Church of England Primary School currently has around 80 pupils, aged 5 to 11. The school has 4 classrooms spread over 2 floors....
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, so designated because of its rare lowland heath vegetation. It is a habitat for many rare species including the ant, Formica exsecta. This is one of only two wild colonies in England, the other being at Bovey Heath
Bovey Heath
Bovey Heath is a 32 hectare area of heathland between Bovey Tracey and Heathfield in south Devon, England.Although primarily heathland habitat, the site has some wet mature oak woodland, and is home to rare species such as the Dartford Warbler, stonechat, nightjar and the narrow headed ant....
.
The site is leased by the Devon Wildlife Trust
Devon Wildlife Trust
The Devon Wildlife Trust is a member of The Wildlife Trusts partnership covering the county of Devon, England. It is a registered charity, established in 1962 as the Devon Naturalists Trust, and its aim is to safeguard the future of the county's urban, rural and marine wildlife and its...
from Sibelco
Sibelco
Sibelco has over 245 production units worldwide and is the disputed market leader in the extraction, production and distribution of the main industrial minerals: quartz, cristobalite, nepheline syenite, plastic clay and olivine...
formerly WBB Minerals. The Trust have created several ponds noted for 12 breeding species of dragonfly including the scarce Keeled Skimmer
Keeled Skimmer
The Keeled Skimmer, Orthetrum coerulescens, is a species of European dragonfly. This species resembles the Black-tailed Skimmer but is slimmer and the male has no black tip. Females and immature males lack the black abdominal pattern...
.
The Heath was once the village's main football pitch and was the venue for many sports days for Chudleigh Knighton Church of England Primary School. However the pitch fell into disrepair and was unsuitable for sporting activities, so the School opened its own private sports field opposite to the village play park. The football pitch is now used by local dog walkers, the football posts are still standing today, though they are a little rusty.