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Sunderland City Council

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Sunderland City Council
Civic Centre
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR2 7DN

Tel. (0191) 520 5555
Calls may be recorded for quality and training purposes

Fulwell Quarry Local Nature Reserve

 

Go wild... Fulwell Quarry Local Nature Reserve

Go wild... Fulwell Quarry Local Nature Reserve

Image: Fulwell Quarry SSSI

The disused quarries at Fulwell and Carley Hill are of national geological importance showing the greatest variety of and the most spectacular development of dolomites (from the Late Permian Concretionary Limestone Formation, 235 million years ago).

Semi-natural magnesian limestone grassland is the major vegetation type in the area.

The meadows sustain a variety of wildflowers including greater knapweed, blue moor grass, quaking grass and common bird's foot trefoil.

Image: Kestrel Butterflies such as small heath, large heath, small copper and the locally rare dingy skipper also favour these grasslands.

If you look more closely you may see the rare woodlouse-hunting  spider and mother shipton moth.  Kestrels hunt over the meadows in search of small mammals.

 

 

Image: Bee Orchid The grasslands and disturbed ground are an important habitat supporting bee orchid, common spotted orchid, fairy flax, yellow-wort and carline thistle.

Scattered hawthorns in the meadows, along with the hedgerows around the site provide breeding and feeding habitats for small birds such as wren, yellowhammer, great tit  and finches.

 

 

Your Local Nature Reserve can be reached on foot only from Newcastle Road NZ388598.  Car parking is limited and local buses from Sunderland stop on Newcastle Road.

(For further information, please contact the Wildspace Volunteer Co-ordinator on (0191) 553 8774 or e-mail wildspace@sunderland.gov.uk

For information on Fulwell Mill contact the Miller on (0191) 516 9790 or log onto External Link Iconwww.fulwell-windmill.com

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last updated 11/08/08