Ancient farmland: Rose End Meadows
Rose End Meadows comprises 11 small fields which have never undergone agricultural improvement. The site therefore provides a unique example of how Derbyshire's limestone farmland would have looked a century ago.
Unimproved grasslands cover much of the site. Each meadow is slightly different due to varying soil quality and depth but they all support a rich variety of wildflowers. In spring and early summer species such as buttercups, cowslips, and bugle flower. As the summer progresses, common-spotted, pyramidal and bee orchids flower alongside knapweed, betony and greater burnet.
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This abundance of flowers attracts large numbers of insects, including bees, painted lady and brown argus butterflies and the chimney sweeper moth. The presence of small areas of woodland and scrub on the site attracts birds such as goldfinches, mistle thrushes and, in winter, hawfinches. The site also houses two dewponds. Traditionally used to provide drinking water for cattle, they now provide an important refuge for the nationally rare Great Crested Newt.
The importance of Rose End Meadows is highlighted through its designation as a SSSI and nature reserve. However, the site is close to a large quarry and dust created by ongoing quarrying activity remains a potential threat to the habitats on this important site.
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