Bloody Oaks Quarry
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Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SK971108 | — | Unfavourable No Change | 1.21 | 2023-06-21 |
Geology & landscape
Geological Period: Jurassic · Rock Type: Limestone
Description
Area, 1.46 ha. 3.6 ac. Description The site comprises one of the best remaining examples of limestone grassland in Leicestershire and is representative of grassland developed on soft limestones in Central and Eastern England. Biology A fine example of species rich limestone grassland developed on thin, well drained soils derived from oolites of the Jurassic Upper Lincolnshire Limestone. The sward is dominated by tor grass Brachypodium pinnatum and upright brome Bromus erectus and contains a rich characteristic flora including rock rose Helianthemum nummularium, salad burnet Poterium sanguisorba, yellow wort Blackstonia perfoliata and autumn gentian Gentianella amarella. A number of plant species which are uncommon or rare in Leicestershire occur on the site.
Species mentioned
Show the 6 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| tor grass | Brachypodium pinnatum | LC | grass | poaceae |
| upright brome | Bromus erectus | Not listed in GB list | grass | poaceae |
| yellowwort | Blackstonia perfoliata | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| autumn gentian | Gentianella amarella | LC | herb | gentianaceae |
| rock roses | Helianthemum nummularium | VU | herb | cistaceae |
| salad burnet | Poterium sanguisorba | VU | herb | rosaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse moth Amphipyra tragopoginis |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba |
| Northern brown Aricia artaxerxes |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Satyr pug Eupithecia satyrata |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Silver studded blue Plebejus argus |
Vulnerable | Helianthemum nummularium |
| Grizzled skipper Pyrgus malvae |
Vulnerable | Poterium sanguisorba |
| Silky wave Idaea dilutaria |
Near Threatened | Helianthemum nummularium |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.