Grid reference: SD511340
Lightfoot green, situated North-West of Preston (Lancs, UK) is a wildlife-rich quarry (still in working in some parts), home to some of Lancashire's scarcer creatures. Habitat's include: Quarry land, Wildflower meadows, Grassland, Woodland, Water pits, Brook/River, Scrub, Hedgerow, some Marshland, Farmland and much more. The Quarry habitat provides a perfect habitat for some Key Quarry Bird species, including Sand martins (the biggest colony in Lancashire), Little ringed plovers (in summer), Wheatears (passage migrants) and Little grebes. Insects include a large selection of Butterflies and moths, with a good number of Dragonflies and Damselflies, including it's large population of Banded demoiselles. There are some important Wildflowers across the quarry, some which are specially adapted to the quarry habitat.
Here are lists of the Wildlife that i have recorded at Lightfoot green:
Birds: (93 species +)
Barn owl, Blackbird, Blackcap, Black headed gull, Blue tit, Bullfinch, Buzzard, Canada goose, Carrion crow, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Coal tit, Collared dove, Common gull, Common sandpiper, Coot, Cormorant, Corn bunting, Curlew, Dunnock, Fieldfare, Garden warbler, Goldcrest, Goldfinch, Great black backed gull, Great spotted woodpecker, Great tit, Green sandpiper, Greenfinch, Grey heron, Grey wagtail, Greylag goose, Herring gull, House martin, House sparrow, Jack snipe, Jackdaw, Jay, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Lapwing, Lesser black backed gull, Lesser whitethroat, Linnet, Little grebe, Little ringed plover, Long tailed tit, Magpie, Mallard, Mandarin, Meadow pipit, Mediterranean gull, Mistle thrush, Moorhen, Mute swan, Nuthatch, Oystercatcher, Pheasant, Pied wagtail, Pink footed goose, Raven, Red legged partridge, Redwing, Reed bunting, Robin, Rock dove, Rook, Sand martin, Shelduck, Siskin, Skylark, Snipe, Song thrush, Sparrowhawk, Spotted flycatcher, Starling, Stock dove, Stonechat, Swallow, Swift, Teal, Tree sparrow, Treecreeper, Tufted duck, Wheatear, Whimbrel, Whitethroat, Wigeon, Willow warbler, Woodcock, Woodpigeon, Wren.
Other Birds, not on this list have been seen by other people.
Butterflies: (16 species)
Small skipper, Large white, Small white, Green veined white, Orange tip, Small tortoiseshell, Comma, Painted lady, Peacock, Red admiral, Holly blue, Small copper, Meadow brown, Gatekeeper, Small heath, Speckled wood.
There are also a large number of Moths recorded on site, making it one of the best sites in the area for moths. A lot of these sightings from Lightfoot green are recorded on: Lancashire moths
Damselflies & Dragonflies: (11 species)
Banded demoiselle, Azure damselfly, Common blue damselfly, Blue tailed damselfly, Common hawker, Southern hawker, Brown hawker, Emperor dragonfly, Broad bodied chaser, Black tailed skimmer, Common darter.
Reptiles & Amphibians: (3 species)
Common frog, Common toad, Smooth/Common newt. I am yet to see a Reptile at Lightfoot green, but Reptiles have been recorded on Site in the past.
Mammals: (10 species)
Weasel, Roe deer, Hedgehog, Common shrew, Water shrew, Pygmy shrew, Harvest mouse, Grey squirrel, Brown hare, Rabbit.
Plants: (Some key species, just some of the hundreds of species:)
Greater stitchwort, Dog rose, Hogweed, Feverfew, Evening primrose, Bird's-foot trefoil, Ribbed melliot, Horseshoe vetch, Slender St. John's wort, Primrose, Agrimony, Wood avens, Silverweed, Dotted loosestrife, Germander speedwell, Selfheal, Tufted vetch, Woody nightshade/Bitter sweet, Bluebell, Common poppy, Cuckoo flower, Rosebay willowherb, Wild teasel, White ramping fumitory, Common vetch, Foxglove, Red campion, Common mallow, Purple loosestrife, Redshank, Thistles (different kinds), Sorrel, Dock, Guelder rose.
Fish: (here are a list of a few i have self-seen/recorded)(3+ Species)
Rudd, Minnow, Stickleback.
Also a good number of Fungi inhabit the site.
Location & Access:
Exit at M6 Junction 32
Follow signs for Garstang
At end of slip road turn left towards Preston
50 Yards turn left & follow signs for Ingol
After approximately 1/2 mile (just after blue rail bridge) turn right onto Lightfoot green lane
Carry on after Motorway bridge
Park on Left layby.
The Quarry:
There is NO access on to the quarry itself, Public footpaths are the only way around, although there are other private paths to gain access to some of the areas not next to the Public paths.
Do not go through the Main quarry gates.
