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2020

SO8175 : Rifle Range Nature Reserve near Kidderminster, Worcestershire

taken 4 years ago, near to Blakebrook, Worcestershire, England

Rifle Range Nature Reserve near Kidderminster, Worcestershire
Rifle Range Nature Reserve near Kidderminster, Worcestershire
This is part of the Rifle Range Nature Reserve, seen by looking south-east from near Whitehill Wood. Woodland ahead is part of Gorse Covert. Some areas of the reserve are fenced (but still accessible) to enable grazing of Highland cattle (part of the heathland preservation and maintenance), though I didn't see any.
The Devil's Spittleful and Rifle Range Nature Reserves :: SO8074

Adjacent to the West Midland Safari Park at Bewdley, and to the south-east, are these two continuous nature reserves, maintained by the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and Wyre Forest District Council respectively.
The area contains a combination of lowland heath, grassland, scrub and some woodland. Three adjacent fields acquired from Blackstone Farm in 2007 are gradually being restored to heath status. Some public footpaths and bridleways do cross the reserves, but there are many more tracks open for exploration.
The Devil's Spittleful is a rocky sandstone knoll with a cave, and several mature Scots Pine trees.

Onsite information boards explain that it is one of the few areas of heathland remaining in Worcestershire and is at least 2500 years old. First created when man cleared the woodland cover, at its peak it is likely that a swathe of heathland stretched across north Worcestershire. Since then, agricultural expansion and building have reduced it to a few fragments.

The Rifle Range Nature Reserve has an area of approximately 43 hectares (106 acres) and is classed as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its high quality lowland heath habitat, with some woodland. The area was used as a firing range during the 19th century. Remains of this can still be found in the form of concrete tracks, trenches (firing butts) and an old ammunition store. The reserve is maintained seamlessly with the adjacent Devil's Spittleful Nature Reserve.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Roger D Kidd and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Grassland Woodland, Forest Heath, Scrub other tags: Nature Reserve Pasture Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
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SO8175, 51 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Roger D Kidd   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Thursday, 15 October, 2020   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 21 October, 2020
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SO 8134 7529 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:22.5197N 2:16.5316W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SO 8105 7516
View Direction
East-northeast (about 67 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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