Windmill Hill

With excellent views of the Avon Valley, this scrubby grassland has been maintained by grazing for centuries and supports a rich community of wildlife.

The open grassland is dotted with lime-loving plants such as twayblade, bee orchid, common-spotted orchid, bird’s-foot trefoil, dog violet, cowslip, fairy flax, field scabious, common knapweed, wild liquorice and common and spiny restharrow.

The reserve is important for butterflies including marbled white, brown argus (rare and in low numbers), small skipper, common blue, meadow brown, small tortoiseshell and small heath.  Visitors should also lookout for old anthills and the herbs such as wild thyme that grow on them.

Scrubby areas on Windmill Hill consist of flowering hawthorn and blackthorn that provide early nectar for hoverflies and other insects.  The mix of grassland, shrubs and trees also help provide cover for willow warbler and chiffchaff.  Kestrels are often seen hunting the open hillside for small mammals.