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What are Heathlands?

Heathlands look like a natural and wild habitat but are the result of forest clearance for agriculture around 5,000 years ago. They are typically areas of dwarf shrubs, such as common heather (ling), bell heather, cross-leaved heath and gorse. These plants grow well on nutrient-poor soil.


Hedleyhope Fell - Darin Smith

Green hairstreak butterfly - Darin Smith

What makes this place special?

Hedleyhope Fell has a complex mosaic of heather dominated areas, acid grassland, rush pasture, bracken beds and patches of gorse and scattered trees. It is the very wetness of places such as this that help create such valuable and varied habitats. They are especially good at supporting a rich variety of plants and animals such as insects (including butterflies), birds, mammals and reptiles.

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Durham Wildlife Trust, Rainton Meadows, Chilton Moor, Houghton-le-Spring, Tyne & Wear DH4 6PU
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