Biodiversity Case Studies

Abundance of wildlife
Beckford Quarry in Gloucestershire was progressively restored over a period of 30 years to form a wildlife reserve. Reservoirs were created to irrigate fruit trees and to service greenhouses. The plant area was restored in 1988 and was replaced by an attractive silk mill. The diversity of species at the reserve includes 88 different flora species, 40 birds, 13 insects and nine types of butterfly. Habitats range from open water to grassland and woodland. Quarrying has also left a geological exposure of sand cliffs that has earned designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

Haven for birds
Sand and gravel extraction at Kemerton Quarry in Worcestershire was the medium through which Huntsmans, between 1988 and 1998, created a superb wildlife reserve on land owned by Mr Adrian Darby OBE, a past chairman of the RSPB. Quarrying created a mosaic of wetland habitats as well as woodland and dry grassland.

The result is an environment that attracts a wide range of birds. Its visitors include breeding lapwing, redshank, little ringed plover and reed warbler. It is also particularly important for waders on passage, wintering ducks and raptors.