A wealth of wildlife including some nationally important species are benefiting from the creation of the Longdendale Trail in the Peak District. This is the finding of a survey of the trail carried out by Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. The Longdendale trail is an important footpath as it forms part of the Trans-pennine Trail, National route and the European route E8 (Ireland to Istanbul!).
This seven-mile section follows the line of the former Manchester to Sheffield railway. During its construction over ten years ago trees and shrubs were planted, wildflower seed mixes were sown and wetland features were incorporated into the design.
The Wildlife Trust’s survey has found that this work has now reaped rewards, with species such as small heath butterfly, lapwing, dunnock and song thrush all found there. These are all creatures that have suffered declines in numbers in recent years. The trail was also found to be rich in butterflies, with 19 species found.
Helen Perkins, the Ttust’s water for wildlife officer, carried out the survey work. She explains: “The trail has large areas of ungrazed grassland which provide ideal breeding sites for butterflies such as small and large skipper, meadow brown, gatekeeper and the small heath. There are some more shaded areas which provide ideal conditions for speckled wood, while grassland flowers such as the bird’s foot trefoil are favourites for the common blue. You can also see the beautiful green hairstreak around areas of bilberry while its relative the purple hairstreak flies around the tops of oak trees next to the trail.”
In the damper areas, marsh orchids have become established, while the ponds provide habitat for palmate newts, frogs and a variety of aquatic invertebrates. Elsewhere trees are providing cover for a variety of nesting birds and feeding areas for bats.
We are now working with Derbyshire Wildlife Trusttogether to further improve the habitats along the trail.