| Nearest
town: Clitheroe
Grid reference: SD 758 427, Landranger 103, Explorer
OL41 Salthill
Quarry is designated a SSSI by virtue of its geological formations. It also has
great botanical interest as it displays a mixture of vegetation from the earliest
stages of soil development on limestone, from limestone grassland, which is rare
in Lancashire, through to woodland. At
the southeast corner of the reserve, the soil is at its earliest stage of development
and supports a sparse vegetation of plants well adapted to the harsh conditions.
Bee Orchid, Carline Thistle and Milkwort can be seen growing here in June. You
can see Autumn Gentian (or Felwort) flowering later in the year in August and
September. On the more established soils you will be able to see Cowslips in the
spring. The summer sees a colourful display of plants such as Bird's-foot-trefoil,
Wild Strawberry, Common Knapweed, Lady's Bedstraw, Scabious and Agrimony. You
may also see the delicate blue flowers of Harebell growing on the shallower soils
and edges of exposed rocks. Grassland
is not the only habitat you can see on the reserve. Ash and Hawthorn trees dominate
the woodland. At the edge of the wood and invading the grassland are numerous
wild roses; Dog-rose, Field-rose and Sweet-briar. Robin's Pin-cushion Galls caused
by a Gall Wasp on wild rose are most apparent in September. Among
the butterflies, Painted Ladies are at their peak number in summer having migrated
here in spring from northern Africa. Unmistakable is the common blue, which is
usually seen flying on hot summer days. Other insects to look out for in summer
are Common Green and Field Grasshoppers and the distinctive Red and Black Six-spot
Burnet Moth. If
you are keen to see birds you can easily recognise Blue Tits and Great Tits, but
there are also Whitethroats, Linnets and Goldfinches. While a visit in summer
keeps you busy looking at the butterflies and flora, if you stay until twilight
you can hear the swifts and you may glimpse the Pipistrelle Bats that roost in
the area. The Kestrel also makes use of the reserve for feeding on the Wood Mice
and voles. Fossilized
rocks are abundant in several areas of the reserve. The fossilised tubes that
look like stacks of polo mints are parts of Crinoids (sea lillies) and are understood
to be 340 million years old. Those lying loose on the ground may be collected
but hammering rock faces or removing large pieces of rock is STRICTLY FORBIDDEN
without written permission from the Trust.
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