Local Wildlife Sites
The Ecology Unit at Warwickshire County Council commissioned a detailed study of the flora and fauna of the verges along the Warwick Road (St Mary's to the Fosse Way) and along the Walton Road (from Pillerton Priors to the Fosse Way).
They found enough to designate these verges as Local Wildlife Sites.
There is a very detailed report on all the varieties of grasses, wildflowers and wildlife.
Most verges in rural areas have lost these plants and the associated wildlife that goes with them because they have not only been mown too frequently but ditch contents have also been spread over the area. The effect of that it is to prevent reseeding and to enrich the soil.
Wildflowers and older varieties of grasses need poorer soil to flourish.
Enriched soil favours coarser grasses, nettles and Rosebay willowherb.
If you take the time to investigate, especially during the months of June and July, you will discover much of interest.
At present we have the cooperation of local farmers and the WCC to limit the width of mowing until the plants have had time to reseed.