Stonesby Quarry
Selected Wild Place / Other Wild Places / Public Rights of Way / VC55 boundary
Site of Special Scientific Interest
Site species count:
Stonesby Quarry is owned by the Leicestershire & Rutland Wildlife Trust and covers 4 ha. It is part of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The reserve is part of a worked-out quarry on soft Jurassic lower Lincolnshire limestone. Although the area is small, parts of the site have developed an important limestone grassland community, rare in Leicestershire. Noteable plant species include pyramidal orchid, autumn gentian, bee orchid, and small scabious. Cowslips, meadow crane's-bill, black and greater knapweed, and toadflax all add to the summer colour and diversity of the site. The profusion of wildflowers attract butterflies, including common blue, large skipper, brimstone and painted lady. The scrub surrounding the reserve is used by a variety of birds; spotted flycatchers have nested here and turtle doves have been heard. The reserve can claim the distinction of being the site where the harvest mouse was rediscovered in Leicestershire in 1964.
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