Annesley Woodhouse Quarry Nature Reserve
Introduction
The species rich grassland site covers just over 2.25 hectares and was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1981. A small part of the site is owned by the trust whilst much of the remainder of the SSSI is leased from English Nature.
About the reserve
The reserve is situated on the junction of the Permian Magnesian Limestone and the Carboniferous Coal Measures. It is one of the county’s finest remaining areas of unimproved Magnesian Limestone grassland, and interesting plant species include rockrose, bee orchid and common spotted orchid.
The site’s steep open slope supports plants typical of limestone soils, such as tor-grass, quaking-grass, cowslip, yellow-wort, and bird’s-foot trefoil, along with herbs like burnet saxifrage, wild thyme, small scabious and purging flax. More neutral grassland dominated by tall fescue is found on the more level ground.
The small area of marsh at the lower western side of the reserve is dominated by meadowsweet, hard rush and float grass and supports many wetland plants including marsh marigold, fen bedstraw, marsh valerian, adder’s tongue fern and ragged robin.
A range of birds breed on the site, including willow warbler and redpoll. The sunny grassland slopes provide habitat for a wide range of invertebrates, such as butterflies. Species recorded include common blue, meadow brown and small heath.
Cattle previously grazed the site in order to conserve the grassland species, but the cessation of grazing for a period in the late 1980s allowed scrub, predominately hawthorn and gorse, to become established. Extensive patches of scrub threatened to overwhelm the species-rich grassland.
Conservation Management
The main objective is conservation and enhancement of the range of grassland types present, particularly that found on the Magnesian Limestone. Lack of grazing in recent years has been a cause of concern, so the site has been referenced recently, to enable the re-introduction of sheep in 2002. A combination of low intensity grazing and selective scrub removal should renovate the grassland within a few years. Retention of limited amounts of scrub will be beneficial to a wide range of invertebrates and birds.
How to get there
The site lies just to the north of Salmon Lane and runs between Annesley Woodhouse and Selston. Parking for a small number of vehicles can be found in a lay-by near the south western corner of the reserve. Two stiles can be used for access to the reserve, the first being on Salmon Lane, on the south western corner of the reserve. The second stile is on the north-eastern corner of the reserve located on a public right of way from Annesley Woodhouse.
Further Information
If you would like further details about the reserve, or if you are interested in getting involved in the management of the site, please call the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust Office on 0115 958 8242.
