Introduction

Part of the quarry is protected by English Nature as a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its geological features. In the Arable Weed Project cornfield wild flowers are being cultivated using vintage agricultural machinery.

The site has been designed with families, education, and the disabled very much in mind. There are a number of exhibitions providing information on many wildlife and conservation topics. The centre has facilities for the disabled including a car trail giving access to some of the hides.

Habitats

Chalk extraction started at one end of the reserve in the 1950's and ceased in 1991. This difference in age means that various stages of natural chalk colonization can be seen along the banks, broken only by areas where sheep or cattle grazing has altered the natural development of scrub and produced a downland turf. In contrast the flat area at the bottom of the quarry was initially restored to a wheat field. In this area lake, marsh, island and dyke features have been artificially created but developed by nature.

Because of the wide diversity of habitats a very large number of species have been recorded on the reserve. The lake and marsh provide a refuge for wildfowl. There is an extensive network of trails and a number of hides both at water level and looking from the quarry banks above, giving excellent views of the marsh area and lake. Some are accessible by wheelchair and by car for the disabled.