Billacombe Railway is located in the south east of Plymouth adjacent to the A379. The site covers 4.2 hectares and is owned and managed by us and is accessible to the public. The site lies at the top of an embankment and consists of the track bed of the disused Plymouth to Yealmpton branch railway.
A variety of habitats are present including, shrubs, exposed rocks and small areas of grassland. The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of rich diversity of plants including the nationally scarce pale St John's Wort and five Devon notable plant species including: Pyramidal orchid, Hairy rock-cress, Lesser centaury, Common gromwell
There's also significant invertebrate interest.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/billacomberailwaycws
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Blagdon's Meadow is a 3.8 hectares site of reclaimed grassland located in the east of Plymouth between the Plym Estuary and Embankment Road. The meadow was originally formed from the dredgings from the Plym and is notable for the way that dry, damp and wet marshy grassland co-exist in such a small area. The site is owned and managed by us and is accessible to the public.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of several Devon notable plant species including: Sea couch, Prickly lettuce, Bee orchid, Round-leaved cranesbill, Common broomrape, Autumn lady's-tresses, Southern marsh orchid
An interpretation board captures the view across the Laira to Saltram, highlighting the fascinating flora and fauna to be seen on and from the shores of the estuary.
Various improvements to this site were made possible in 2007 through the Plymouth Single Regeneration Budget Gateway Project package. A number of new features have been added to the meadow including a natural stone Devon bank, cycle parking and a viewing area on the waterside complete with heavy-duty granite benches. A dog bin has also been installed to encourage dog walkers to use the site responsibly. At the entrance to the site three carved wooden totem poles stand welcoming visitors to the meadow.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/blagdonsmeadowcws
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Devil's Point is located in the south west of Plymouth, on the coast at the south end of Durnford Street. The 3.5 hectares site is owned by the Ministry of Defence and managed by us and is accessible to the public. A variety of habitats are present including cliffs, grassland and boulders/rocks.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of field eryngo, a nationally notable plant species and 11 Devon notable plant species found on the low limestone cliffs and coastal grassland including wild clary and garden parsley. Devil's Point is also part of Western King Site of Special Scientific Interest.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/devilspointcws
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Ernesettle Complex is located in the north west of Plymouth adjacent to the River Tamar with dramatic views. The 32.9 hectares site is privately owned and managed and isn't accessible to the public. A variety of habitats are present including grassland, scattered trees, standing/running water, woodland and marsh.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of several notable plant species including: Grey club-rush, Broad-leaved everlasting pea, Autumn lady's-tresses, Grass vetchling, Twiggy mullein
Invertebrate interest include the nationally notable long-winged coneheads and great-green bush-crickets (a Devon Biodiversity Action Plan species). Some areas of the site are listed in the Ancient Woodland Inventory and eight ancient woodland indicator species have been recorded.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/ernesettlecomplexcws
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Frys Nursery is located in the east of Plymouth between the areas of Plymstock and Plympton. The site covers 1.8 hectares and is privately owned and managed isn't accessible to the public. The site consists of two fields within a predominantly pastoral landscape of gently rolling fields bordered by Devon hedge-banks with trees. Habitats include grassland, hedges and buildings.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of high-quality neutral grassland indicators at the site including: Crested dog's tail, Red fescue, Black knapweed, Selfheal, Autumn hawkbit, Red clover
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/frysnurserycws
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Hardwick Wood is located in the east of Plymouth, just south of Plympton and north of the A38. The 22.4 hectares site is owned and managed by the Woodland Trust and is accessible to the public. This site is an ancient semi-natural woodland sculptured by natural events such as storms. The site has been disturbed with the planting of non-native species, but does contain oak, ash and beach. The site has a number of rides and paths that run through the woodland.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of 17 ancient woodland indicator species including: Wood millet, Wild cherry, Field rose, Wych elm
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/hardwickwoodcws
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Plymouth Hoe and Madeira Road is located on the seafront, just a five minute walk from the city centre. The site covers 8.1 hectares and is owned and managed by us and is accessible to the public. A variety of habitats are present including, mown lawn, grassland, flowerbeds/shrubberies, cliffs, boulders/rocks and a number of buildings. The site is very popular with both tourists and locals alike and boasts breathtaking views of Plymouth Sound.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the 119 species recorded at the site including 10 Devon notable plant species including: Wild clary, Sea couch grass, Long-bracted sedge, Ivy broomrape, Knotted hedge parsley, Toothed medick, Plymouth thistle, Round-leaved crane's bill
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/hoeandmadeiraroadcws
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Hooe Lake is located in the south east of Plymouth next to Radford Lake and Radford Quarry. The site covers 14 hectares and is privately owned and managed and is accessible to the public. The site is tidal, containing mudflats and open water habitats.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the mudflats, a UK Biodiversity Action Plan (UKBAP) priority habitat that's present at low water.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/hooelakecws
https://www.facebook.com/NaturePlymouth/
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Jennycliff is located in the south of Plymouth and boasts breathtaking views of the city and Plymouth Sound. The site covers 11.3 hectares and is owned and managed by us and is accessible to the public. A variety of habitats are present including, woodland, grassland, cliffs, beach and sea caves. The South West Coast Path runs through the site, connecting the city with the South Hams Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The site is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the presence of four nationally scarce plant species: Pale St John's Wort, Maidenhair fern, Dwarf elder, Round-leaved crane's bill
Several Devon notable plant species have also been reported at the site including: Distant sedge, Sea rocket, Sea spleenwort, Bee orchid
In addition, the red data book spider, Episinus maculipes has been recorded.
The site is an important habitat for invertebrate species such as, spiders, woodlice, centipedes and beetles with several notable species having been recorded. Jennycliff is also part of Plymouth sound, shores and cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest.
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/jennycliffcws
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Kinterbury Creek is located in the west of Plymouth, between Barne Barton and St Budeaux on the Tamar Estuary.
Nestled between two housing areas, it's a real discovery, comprising a tidal creek, mudflats and Kiln Bay and bordered by an area of saltmarsh and woodland. It's a lovely place to watch wading birds foraging for food.
Kinterbury Creek is designated as a County Wildlife Site because of the interest in its maritime habitats, with two hectares of mudflats and some small pockets of rocky foreshore, saltmarsh and reed beds.
Species we've spotted include:
Devon notable plant species including common cord grass, sea purslane, common saltmarsh grass, glasswort, annual sea blite, sea aster and sea couch.
Wildflowers like birds foot trefoil, wood sorrel and creeping cinquefoil
Butterflies like meadow brown, clouded yellow, speckled wood and red admiral
Heron, oystercatcher, little egret, moorhen and grey heron
https://www.plymouth.gov.uk/parksnatureandgreenspace/countywildlifesites/kinterburycreekcws
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