Prees Heath Common Reserve, Shropshire

Prees Heath Common Reserve, Shropshire

Species to look out for

The last sanctuary for the Silver-studded Blue in the Midlands. The reseve is on a large Common that had been a Second World War airfield. A major restoration project is re-instating heathland and grassland vegetation across much of the site

Other species to look out for

Foxes, rabbits, polecats, stoats and weasels are present. Common  Lizards bask in the open in the summer. A variety of heathland birds use  the reserve, including hobbies and skylarks.

Features

The reserve covers the western half of Prees Heath - a registered Common that extends to some 126 hectares.

The old airfield runway runs down the middle of the reserve and the airfield control tower still stands near the northern end. On the blocks of arable land the sandy sub-soil has been brought to the surface so that heathland and grassland can be re-established by seeding.

Butterfly Conservation purchased the reserve in 2006 after a long campaign and appeal in association with Prees Heath Commoners, local supporters and Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The purchase and restoration project was howeveronly possible thanks to a major grant from GrantScape under their Biodiversity Challenge Fund. Funding support is also received from Natural England.

Reserve area: 60 hectares

Directions

OS Grid Reference: SJ 557 363 OS Map number: Explorer 241

The reserve lies between the A49 and the A41 two miles south of Whitchurch. Access to the reserve can be gained via a track off the A49 opposite the turning to Steel Heath. Parking is available at the truckstop car park (pay & display) at the roundabout juntion of the A41 and A49, just north of the reserve. The short walk onto the reserve involves crossing the busy A49.

Public Transport

The railway station of Prees village is approximately two miles from the reserve, as is the larger railway station at Whitchurch. Both are on the Shrewsbury to Crewe line.

Site Access and Safety

The reserve is very flat. However, there is an abundance of rabbits, and consequently there are many rabbit holes which, combined with the sandy soil, are a hazard. Please watch where you put your feet.

The reserve is Open Access land so people can walk wherever they wish, but horse-riding is by permit only - there are no bridleways. Unauthorised vehicles are not allowed on the Common.

During the heathland/grassland restoration phase seeded areas need to be allowed to regenerate; - visitors’ co-operation with this is requested.

Contact

Stephen Lewis, Prees Heath Officer

  • Mobile: 07900 886809
  • Email

Factsheet

Click on the link below to view the Prees Heath factsheet: