Quarry becomes haven for rare species

A quarry in Shrewsbury has become a haven for rare species of flora and fauna, thanks to advice and support by Shropshire Council’s natural environment team.

Following a survey carried out by the council’s biodiversity officer and county ecologist Dan Wrench, numerous rare and unusual flora and fauna to Shropshire have been discovered on the recently sown wildflower meadow at Tarmac’s quarry in Bayston Hill.  Other local naturalists have also made interesting finds.

Wildlife discovered at the quarry include:

• Meadow Brome (Bromus commutatus) – a rare find in Shropshire with only seven sightings of this plant ever being recorded here
• Rat’s-tail Fescue (Vulpia myuros) – a scarce grass in Shropshire last recorded at Bayston Hill in 1878
• Hoverfly (Helophilus trivittatus) – an uncommon and large attractive hoverfly found scattered across the UK
• Chamomile Shark caterpillar (Cucullia chamomillae) – another uncommon species widely scattered throughout the UK
• Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).  – an unusual plant not recorded at Bayston Hill since 1907.  At the centre of this white flowered plant sits a dark red flower
• Local ornithologist Colin Wright has found breeding Oystercatcher, Linnet, Little Ringed Plover, Skylark, Tree Sparrow, Whitethroat and Yellowhammer amongst others in the wetland and nearby fields
• Local entomologist Nigel Jones has found the Bee Wolf (Philanthus triangulum) for the first time in 6 years in Shropshire.  He also found a ‘Dolichopodid fly’ called Tachytrechus notatus which has never been found in Shropshire before.

Tarmac had created a screening bund, an area of rough hilly land left to hide the quarry landscape.  Following advice from the council’s natural environment team, the area had been strewn with fresh hay from local nature reserves last year.  The hay was strewn over two days by local volunteers, many from the local rambling group.

Sue Swales, natural environment manager said:

“It’s great to see the work being done to rejuvenate old quarry land to create a habitat for species to flourish.  Although it’s early days yet for the wildflower meadow creation work, efforts by our team, Tarmac and local volunteers are already paying off.  It’s an inspiring sight and it is the real reward for all the hard work everyone has put in.”

Michael Charlton, Tarmac’s restoration manager, said:

“I am amazed at the range of flora and fauna on such a newly-created piece of land and so close to a working quarry.  And with the public footpath running through the meadow, it’s available for everyone to see and appreciate.”

Dan Wrench added:

“It’s fantastic to see characteristic meadow flowers like Eyebright and Yellow Rattle are already becoming established.  With regular management of cutting and grazing, some weed control and no input of fertilizer, the site is likely to become one of the more spectacular and accessible nature reserves in Shropshire.”

There are plans to undertake further surveys at two fields and ponds on the site.