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Clitheroe nature reserve threatened due to repeated damage to precious wildflowers

An area of important wildflower grassland at Cross Hill Quarry nature reserve has been severely damaged after being repeatedly dug up to create jumps for mountain bikes.

Cross Hill Quarry is a haven for nature. Sitting next to Brungerly Park, just outside of Clitheroe, this local nature reserve is an amazing example of how nature can reclaim our industrial past. Once a bustling quarry providing stone for many of our local buildings, the area is now brimming with amazing wildlife and summer sees the old quarry floor carpeted with wildflowers including bee orchids and common spotted orchids.

However, this magnificent wildflower patch has suffered significant damage due to areas of the quarry floor being dug up to create mountain bike jumps, potentially threatening the future of this important habitat.

Sign at Cross Hill Quarry

Sign at Cross Hill Quarry

Kim Coverdale, East Lancashire Reserves Officer at The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, said: “The quarry floor at Cross Hill Quarry is a rare surviving example of a species rich limestone grassland, but over the past few months areas of it have twice been dug up to create bike jumps.

"This causes substantial damage to this important habitat, and we may now even have to restrict public access to the area to allow it to recover. Our staff and volunteers work extremely hard to care for and preserve the nature reserve, and both the damage and potentially having to stop people from being able to enjoy it up close is really disappointing.”

Bee orchid by Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

Bee orchid by Jon Hawkins - Surrey Hills Photography

The nature reserve at Cross Hill Quarry is a vital local greenspace and includes areas of both woodland and meadow, filled with a variety of specialised species that are perfectly adapted to life just above the limestone bedrock. The wildflower meadows are filled with orchids including common twayblade, bee and marsh orchids and common spotted orchids along with crosswort, quaking grass, and lady’s bedstraw. All this flourishing flora in turn supports numerous important pollinators such as hoverflies and bees. Cross Hill Quarry is well-known for its rich insect population.

Cross Hill Quarry’s diverse habitats also supports birds such as willow warblers, blackcaps, nuthatches, blue tits and great tits, whilst kestrels can be spotted hovering over the open areas. As dusk descends pipistrelle and noctule bats come out to hunt and Daubenton’s bats swoop low to skim insects from the surface of the nearby River Ribble.

Damage to Cross Hill Quarry by Kim Coverdale

Damage to Cross Hill Quarry by Kim Coverdale

Kim continues, “A number of young people have been observed using the jumps and in the area with spades, and whilst we are quite sure they are not intentionally harming the wildflower habitat, the damage is now significant. Nationally, we have seen a 97 per cent decrease in our wildflower meadows since the 1930s so it is important that we treasure and protect these beautiful habitats and protect the diversity.

“Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is unlawful to uproot any wild plant without permission from the landowner or occupier, and whilst we have no desire to go to such lengths, we just appeal to people to love and care for our nature reserves, and to pass on this message to anyone who enjoys cycling in the area.”

More information about Cross Hill Quarry and how to visit can be found at www.lancswt.org.uk/nature-reserves/cross-hill-quarry-local-nature-reserve