Freeman's Marsh

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Freeman's Marsh
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Fording the Dun - geograph.org.uk - 842254.jpg
Berkshire UK location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Berkshire
Location Berkshire
Grid reference SU 329 686 [1]
Coordinates 51°24′54″N1°31′55″W / 51.415°N 1.532°W / 51.415; -1.532
InterestBiological
Area25.1 hectares (62 acres) [1]
Notification 1986 [1]
Location map Magic Map

Freeman's Marsh is a 25.1-hectare (62-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest on the northern outskirts of Hungerford in Berkshire, England. [1] [2] It is in the North Wessex Downs, which is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. [3] The site is owned by the Town and Manor of Hungerford. [4]

Freeman's Marsh is in the flood plain of the River Dun, which goes through the site. It has unimproved meadows, which have long been traditionally managed by grazing, marsh, reedbeds and scattered woodland. Many species of birds nest on the river bank and in the marshy meadows, including snipe, little grebes and mute swans, while sedge warblers, reed warblers and reed buntings nest in tall fen and reed. [3]

The site is crossed by public footpaths. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Designated Sites View: Freeman's Marsh". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  2. "Map of Freeman's Marsh". Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Freeman's Marsh citation" (PDF). Sites of Special Scientific Interest. Natural England. Retrieved 15 October 2019.
  4. "Freeman's Marsh". The Town & Manor of Hungerford & Liberty of Sanden Fee. 2017. Archived from the original on 15 October 2019 via Internet Archive.
  5. Explorer 158: Newbury & Hungerford (Map). Ordnance Survey. ISBN   9780319243510.