Woodford Halse
 |
These old railway cuttings are an important refuge for birds and butterflies |
Two railway cuttings excavated around 100 years ago are now an important mosaic of scrub and grassland. The work exposed calcareous soil and the resulting grassland supports a number of plant species which are rare in the county.
Over 160 species of flowering plant have been recorded, including knapweed and scabious. Adder’s-tongue fern is found in some areas that are partially shaded by scrub. Some areas become waterlogged in damp seasons, which helps to improve the diversity of the site, and the stones covering some of the drainage channels provide a habitat for mosses and lichens.
The denser scrub provides winter feeding grounds for birds including fieldfare, redwing and wheatear, and also makes good nesting sites for lesser whitethroat, yellowhammer and linnet. The margins between the scrub and grassland are particularly significant for butterflies – seventeen species have been recorded.
Birds: Fieldfare, redwing, wheatear |
Birds: Lesser whitethroat, yellowhammer, linnet Plants: Knapweed, scabious, bird's-foot-trefoil Insects: Ants |
Plants: Tansy Birds: Bullfinch, warblers, tits Insects: Ants, meadow brown, gatekeeper, painted lady and common blue butterflies |
 |