Branton Hill Quarry

The disused sand and gravel quarry was abandoned some 30 years ago. The 10 metre deep hollow with its water filed bottom, the islands and the sandstone cliffs, have been colonised with aquatic, grassland, scrub and heathland species. Sallow and osier scrub grows at the waterside. White gorse, broom, birch and oak scrub grows on the slopes of the quart and on the islands. Water crowfoot, broad-leaved pondweed, spiked water milfoil and white water lily grow in the open water, while marginal flora comprises rushes, willow herbs, reedmace, and amphibious bistort. Areas of neutral grassland occur, with more acidic grassland along the northern banks by the railway line characterised by heather, gorse, sheep's fescue, and cladonia lichens.

Birdlife

The pool's emergent vegetation provide cover for nesting water birds such as moorhen and mallard, while the scrub provides cover for tits, and finches. There have been reports of sand martins nesting in the holes of the cliff faces but these have not been confirmed.

Management recommendations

Shrub and tree invasion will need to be controlled to maintain the diversity of the site and preserve the grass and heathland.