When you think of a working quarry, “wildlife sanctuary” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind…
But at Lightwater Quarries, remarkable things happen behind the scenes. Beneath the hum of machinery and alongside the extraction of magnesian limestone, an incredible array of wildlife has made itself at home, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Great Crested Newt: A Star Resident
One of the most familiar faces on site at Lightwater Quarries is the Great Crested Newt, a protected species that requires a surprisingly diverse habitat to thrive. These amphibians need breeding ponds (where they’re born and return to later), plus woodland with frost-free crevices for hibernation, which typically runs from late autumn through to spring.
So How Does Our Quarry Fit the Bill?
Our existing operations created lagoons used as recycled water supply for washing limestone. These lagoons have become ideal breeding grounds, and because they’re man-made, they contain none of the fish that would naturally prey on newt eggs. Combined with the surrounding rugged, frost-resistant limestone and newly planted woodland, the habitat here is, in many ways, better than what nature provides on its own.
Peregrine Falcons: Accidental but Welcome
For four years now, two Peregrine Falcons have called Lightwater Quarries home. These birds have an incredible homing instinct, with some nesting sites in continuous use for hundreds of generations. While they’re typically associated with coastal cliffs or desert tundra, the quarry’s landscape of lagoon and exposed rock faces has created an ideal, albeit accidental, nesting site. The woodland planted as part of the quarry’s wider sustainability strategy has also given them prime hunting grounds.
Sand Martins: Built for the Banks
Our Potgate quarry is also home to a colony of Sand Martins. These birds prefer to nest in vertical sand banks close to water – the steeper the wall, the harder it is for predators to catch the nests. The quarry’s sand faces have proven to be a perfect match.
Oystercatchers: The Inland Pioneers
A pair of Oystercatchers has taken a particular interest in one of the stockpiles at Portgate. These stocky black and white wading birds traditionally breed on UK coasts, but over the last 50 years, more have started to breed inland. The lagoons and sand stockpiles created by our quarry operations are an obvious and hostile environment for them. Our team has even quarantined part of the quarry to protect the nest, hoping the pair will return for many years to come.
We Aren’t Stopping There…
Plans are underway to introduce native White Clawed Crayfish into restored ponds on site. These crustaceans have suffered a devastating 50–80% decline in the last decade and are classified as “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List. The site’s physical isolation offers protection from their invasive American cousins, meaning the quarry could become a vital stronghold for the species.
At Lightwater Quarries, we believe in coexistence, not conflict. We acknowledge that some habitats were created accidentally through quarry operations, while others were purposely designed as part of our sustainability strategy. Either way, every restoration plan includes preservation and protection of the species that have made our quarry their home.
If you would like to find out more, please contact our team on 01765 635435 or sales@lightwaterquarries.com.
