Since the lime industry ceased in the area, the landscape around the industrial remains has been reclaimed by nature and, as such, provides a refuge for wildlife, including a wide diversity of birds.
Prior to the 1999 renovation of the industrial remains, Bill Edwards and Lee Barber were commissioned to undertake a Bird Survey. They used the Common Bird Census Technique, which involved eight visits to the site in April and June. 24 breeding species were identified, with some visiting birds. These included birds that were, at the time, regarded as Birds of Conservation Concern, including the Bullfinch and Song Thrush.
We are presently resurveying the bird population to find out which birds are still present. The Summer 2025 results have been analysed. All of the birds present in 1999 are still present in the Heritage Area, except for the warblers, which appear to have declined in numbers. Despite the concerns raised in the 1999 survey, the Tawney Owls are still present, and it now seems likely that they have been in the area for over 30 years.
21 Birds were identified in summer 2025 that were not listed in the 1999 Survey Report. Both the birds listed in the 1999 survey as Birds of Conservation Concern—the Song Thrush and the Bullfinch—are still present on the site. There was only a limited recording of the Bullfinch, whilst there was considerable identification of the Song Thrush. The Tawny Owls were also heard. The present Shropshire Red List for Birds of Concern lists the following birds, which are present at the Heritage Area: Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Swift, Tawny Owl, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Pied and Spotted flycatchers. The Amber List of Birds of Concern identified in the Heritage Area were: Yellow wagtail, Treecreeper, Green Woodpecker, Grey and Yellow Wagtails and Mistle Thrush. (See the leaflet for more information)