Collyweston Quarries
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An old quarry site transformed into a beautiful area of limestone grassland with over 100 different types of wild flower |
In June, the grassland is aglow with the golden-yellow flowers of common rockrose, common bird’s-foot-trefoil and dyer’s greenweed, whose flowers were once gathered to produce a yellow dye.
This colourful display continues with pinks and purples when the pyramidal orchid, greater knapweed, wild thyme and clustered bellflower come into flower. Also look for the brownish flower spikes of knapweed broomrape, and common dodder with its long red tendrils. These parasitic plants depend on others to survive.
The wildflowers and undulating terrain provide food and warm, sheltered conditions for many different insects and reptiles. Glow-worms can be seen in the longer grass at dusk or night time in June, when the females glow green to attract mates. Reptiles such as common lizard bask in the sun on the bare ground.
The areas of scrub support several bird species, and the ringing laugh of the green woodpecker can be heard in summer.
Birds: Tits, thrushes |
Plants: Common rockrose, bird’s-foot-trefoil, dyer’s greenweed Insects: Ground beetles Reptiles: Common lizard Birds: Turtle dove, bullfinch, yellow hammer, whitethroat |
Plants: Pyramidal orchid, greater knapweed, clustered bellflower, knapweed broomrape, common dodder Insects: Glow-worm, marbled white butterfly, burnet moth Reptiles: Common lizard Birds: Turtle dove, bullfinch, yellowhammer, whitethroat |
Plants: Autumn gentian |