Broadcroft Quarry, Portland

Brownfield site managed for nature conservation

Broadcroft Quarry

Broadcroft supports a stunning array of plants and insects and is an excellent example of how ‘brownfield’ land can be managed for nature conservation.

Area: 7.3 hectares (18 acres).

Site management aims to provide more open grassland and short sward conditions. Innovative surface-scraping has been successfully employed to re-recreate the special conditions needed by the Silver-studded Blue and the black ants with which it is associated.

There may be guided walks or conservation work you can join on this reserve: see our Events page.

Site Details
Near	Easton on the West side of Portland
Butterfly species include	Silver-studded Blues - late June/early July (pictured right) Small Blues - May/June and July/August Chalkhill Blues - July Common Blues (very strong population) - May to September You may also see migrants like Clouded Yellow and Painted Lady
Moth species	Portland Ribbon Wave Four-spotted Chalk Carpet Beautiful Gothic Valerian Pug
Other species	Birds might include: Whitethroat Lesser Whitethroat Meadow Pipit Kestrel Green Woodpecker Migrant birds - this being Portland, you never know what might turn up! Look out also for Roe Deer and the herd of feral goats that help to graze the cliffs on Portland, which sometimes wander onto this reserve.
Habitat type/ features	This reserve is a disused, infilled limestone quarry and part of the Isle of Portland Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The stony, calcareous soil supports a herb-rich flora with local plants such as bee and pyramidal orchids, yellow vetchling, autumn gentian and ivy broomrape. Sparse vegetation conditions are ideal for such plants as well as the key butterflies and other insects. The scrub provides shelter and habitat for birds but readily invades the open areas. The picture on the right shows the Silver-studded Blue habitat.
Location	Access: Grid reference SY 697 720 Landranger map 194 Take the main road (A354) to Portland, and follow the signs to Easton. Turn left onto Grove Road as you enter Easton. The reserve entrance is down the quarry track (beware of lorries) about 1/4 km along the Grove, on the south side beyond the recreation ground. There is car parking at SY695723 west of the reserve entrance. Please do not cross the fenceline and approach the edge of the working quarry.
Owned by	Leased by Butterfly Conservation from the Quarry company that owns it since 1994.