Hills and Holes SSSI Centred at SK556679
 
Now (2016) under threat from the effects of proposed housing development, support is growing to protect this locally important wildlife site from encroaching urbanisation, which will effectively begin to isolate the wildlife found on this rich SSSI. As a result, we have compiled all the invertebrate records we have (and have been sent) into a single pdf document. Its currently just a standard species list, but will act as a starting point.
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Provisional Hills and Holes invertebrate site species list 2016 ................................................................................ Published March 2016
 
Situation Hills and Holes is found at SK556679, situated between Warsop Vale, Sookholme and Market Warsop.

Parking and access There are three access areas. The better of the three (and safest on-road car parking) is either at the end of Stonebridge Road or on Sookholme Lane which is off Stonebridge Road at Market Warsop. Leave Mansfield on the A60 heading east and take the first left onto Stonebridge Road after entering Market Warsop. Drive to the end of the road and park sensibly.

Description and habitat Hills and Holes is an area of Calcareous grassland, with varying amounts of Hawthorn and Gorse scrub. It is the site of some former limestone workings and the old spoil heaps mean that one particular section is considerably more elevated than the rest. The River Meden flows through the site, effectively splitting it into four sections.

 
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Although there have been periods of sometimes several years between visits, Hills and Holes (unlike many other places) still suffers from only small amounts of disturbance, which is refreshingly surprising in view of it's location in relation to nearby housing. The undulating terrain has been totally ignored by BMX bikers and the site only suffers some minor litter problems.

Wildlife Hills and Holes is a completely underwatched site, yet one of great potential to the natuarlist, whatever their particular field of study.

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Wildlife Hills and Holes is a completely underwatched site, yet one of great potential to the natuarlist, whatever their particular field of study.

Butterflies Held very small numbers of Dingy Skipper in the late 1980's and early 1990's which arestill present, but colonies can be discreet. All the common species such as Common Blue, Speckled Wood and Gatekeeper occur here. There are good numbers of both Ringlet and Meadow Brown.

Moths Very large numbers of the day-flying Chimney Sweeper (c300) were present in 2007. Local naturalist Dave Morton has produced a site species list, after trapping the site regularly in 2011.

Other flora and fauna Bee, Common Spotted and Early Purple Orchids occur here, although these can be difficult to find in poor flowering years. Hills and Holes supports a wide range of plants and flowers and Cowslip is common.

 

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Summary Hills and Holes SSSI is well worth a visit during the peak migration periods for birds and during the Summer months for insects and flowers. Despite it's near urban situation, the site remains relatively quiet and largely unspoilt. There are times when the whole site is grazed by cattle and these can sometimes pose a problem.

 
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