Warton Crag

The disused limestone quarry at Warton Crag. Now a nature reserve used by climbers and walkers
Pinnacle Crag, a rock-climbing area near the summit of Warton Crag

Warton Crag is a limestone hill in north west Lancashire, England. It lies to the north west of Warton village, in City of Lancaster district. At 163 metres (535 ft) it is the highest point in the Arnside and Silverdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,[1] and is listed as a "HuMP" or "Hundred Metre Prominence", its parent being Hutton Roof Crags.[2] Two areas are Local Nature Reserves, called Warton Crag[3][4] and Warton Crag Quarry.[5][6] Different sections are owned by Lancashire County Council, the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside, Lancaster City Council and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.[7]

Many plants are found on the crag, including horseshoe vetch near its northern limit, spindle tree and many ferns.[8] The site is rich in butterflies, including several varieties of fritillary.[8]

The former quarry on the west of the crag is a regular breeding site for peregrine falcons and is protected by a Falcon Watch team of volunteers.[9]

The crag is used by rock-climbers,[10] and a fell race on the crag takes place annually as part of Warton Children's Sports Day.[11]

References

  1. ↑ Arnside and Silverdale AONB. A Guide to Warton Crag Nature Reserves. p. 3.
  2. ↑ Jackson, Mark (2009). "Carlisle to the Ribble and the Aire". More Relative Hills of Britain (PDF). p. 136.
  3. ↑ "Warton Crag". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Map of Warton Crag". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "Warton Crag Quarry". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "Map of Warton Crag Quarry". Local Nature Reserves. Natural England. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  7. ↑ Arnside and Silverdale AONB. A Guide to Warton Crag Nature Reserves. pp. 10–11.
  8. 1 2 "Warton Crag". Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  9. ↑ "New male Peregrine takes up residence: Warton Crag has a new male Peregrine.". Arnside and Silverdale AONB. 21 December 2010. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  10. ↑ "Warton Crag". LakesBloc: Lake District Bouldering. Retrieved 28 November 2012.
  11. ↑ "Warton Crag: Race Details". Fellrunner.org.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2012.

External links

Coordinates: 54°08′51″N 2°46′51″W / 54.1476°N 2.7807°W / 54.1476; -2.7807

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