RESERVE FACT SHEET

STAUNTON QUARRY

SIZE: 6 acres ................................................................ Click here for Site Map

RESERVE TYPE: Flooded quarry, secondary woodland.

STATUS: The reserve is held on a 99-year lease from a private owner.

ACCESS: The reserve lies on the minor road from Elton (on the A52) to Newark, between the villages of Kilvington and Cotham. Access to the quarry (803462) is from the west side. The separate area of woodland, called Stonepit Plantation (804459), lies to the north of the quarry, and is entered from its north side. The fishing rights to the quarry are retained by the owner and let to a private individual. The reserve is open to members at all times.

DESCRIPTION: This is the Trust's only site on the Lias limestone and clays, which are of comparatively recent marine origin. The quarry site (approx. 3 acres) comprises an area of spoil, a flooded former limestone quarry and abandoned lime kilns.

Great and lesser reedmace grow at the fringes of the open water. The reserve is noteworthy for the range of dragonflies and damselflies which breed there. Adjacent to the water is an area of calcareous grassland which includes quaking grass, purging flax and bee orchids. The kilns have become colonised by tall grasses, bramble and rose, and are a good habitat for several butterflies, including the ringlet.

A poplar plantation dominates the northern side of the quarry. Stonepit Plantation (approx. 3 acres) comprises secondary woodland over an old quarry. Until recently it was a mixture of ash ,elm and sycamore, characteristic of the area. Most of the elm has died, and wood has been restocked with native trees and shrubs including oak, wild cherry, hazel and purging buckthorn. Although the ground flora is dominated by cow parsley, it includes some species of note, especially the giant bellflower.

CONSERVATION AIMS/PROBLEMS: The prime objectives for the quarry are to maintain the open water and calcareous grassland. The poplar plantation poses the main problem as it throws out suckers into the grassland,

and these have to be vigorously controlled. Eventually, the poplar plantation will be felled and restocked with a variety of trees and shrubs similar to Stonepit Plantation. The latter has

been successfully replanted, and a fence, gate and newly planted hedge around its perimeter will help to control access.

CONTACT: Craig Blackwell, 4 Church View, Bottesford,