Bee orchid - Amy Lewis
one of the highest concentrations of Local Wildlife Sites in Shropshire
Shropshire Wildlife Trust
They were formed some 330 million years ago under the sea near the equator; millions upon millions of corals and the fossilised remains of small, shelled sea creatures have piled up and been crushed together over a vast span of time to make the limestone.
Over thousands of years the rocks have been quarried. Limestone provided quicklime for agriculture and mortar for buildings, burnt in the kilns seen all around the area. The construction of the canal and later the railway boosted production hugely in the 19th century, feeding demand for lime from the iron foundries of Ironbridge and Staffordshire.
Limestone is precious for plants too, with many species that will grow on nothing else. Hundreds of different kinds of flowers are found on the thin mantle of turf covering these hills, along with a marvellous diversity of butterflies, moths and dragonflies.
Networked with footpaths, including a section of Offa’s Dyke, the Oswestry hills is a beautiful landscape with much to explore, its nature reserves a highly-valued part of it.
What's happening?
The Oswestry Hills have one of the highest concentrations of Local Wildlife Sites in Shropshire, in particular areas of limestone grassland of importance for fritillary butterflies.
This scheme will link together these sites, through practical works on existing nature reserves and by giving management advice and support to landowners, mapping out hot-spots and corridors to establish an ecolgical network across the area.
Scheme area: 8,657 hectares
Trust reserves within the scheme
Llanymynech Rocks (England & Wales), Llynclys Common, Sweeney Fen, Dolgoch Quarry, Jones's Rough, Craig Sychtyn and Bwltai Wood
This scheme is helping species including...
Pearl bordered fritillary, small pearl bordered fritillary, bee orchid, pyramidal orchid, fragrant orchid, globeflower, marsh helleborine, southern marsh orchid, moonwort, grizzled skipper, dingy skipper, several species of bat, peregrine falcon, chalk carpet moth
Current threats to the landscape
- Lack of management of small sites leading to a decline of habitats and species
- Loss of smallholders and/or expertise and livestock for small sites
- There are also active quarrying operations
This scheme is also...
Providing habitat for pollinating insects, improving access for people, providing recreational and volunteering opportunities and skills training.
Partners
Local landowners, Llanymynech Golf Club.
To find out more
Send an email | Tel: 01743 284280 | Oswestry Hills
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