The eco centre
Quarryville wildlife
A well-managed quarry can be home to all kinds of wildlife, not only when it’s been restored but also while quarrying is still taking place.
Throughout Britain, Tarmac work with the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) to make sure restoration improves the environment for various types of bird. Sometimes rock faces will be left exposed to provide a safe breeding place for falcons or other species of hawks.
Quarryville’s Sand and Gravel quarry has recorded over 90 different species of birds at the site. The quarry is next to a river and trees, so it’s no surprise to see blackbirds, wood pigeons, marsh tits and robins, but there are surprising visitors to Quarryville, too.
Quarryville’s rock quarry is home to a breeding pair of peregrine falcons. The peregrines have reared young at the site for three years now. The local RSPB officer is a regular visitor.
Once last year he had to rush to the site after the foreman noticed a rock pipit’s nest in a water tank. The Quarryville staff moved the nest to an old, unused fuel store and were delighted to see the mother bird rear her chicks.
Pupils from Quarryville School were so impressed with the number of birds they spotted on a recent school trip to the quarry, they decided to start a birdwatching club. To get them started, the Quarry donated 25 bird boxes and binoculars.
