This former limestone quarry supports a broad array of habitats, from wood pasture, to fantastic ponds and wildflower-rich grassland. The river Wear and Bollihope burn also pass through the site, with river shingle and sandy banks.

Seasonal highlights

Spring arrives with tawny mining bees and dark-edged bee-flies busy feeding and nesting. The site bursts with life in summer, from the northern bear spiders tucked away amongst the river shingle to field digger wasps hunting for flies and dingy skippers basking on sunny, flower-rich slopes. This is a particularly good site for autumn moths, with species like canary-shouldered thorn and centre-barred sallow emulating the colours of the season.

• Car parking: lay-by, Frosterley, Weardale, County Durham, DL13 2SG
• Grid reference: NZ 03587 36875
• Survey route length: 2 miles
• Terrain: the route follows a bare track with some steep, damp slopes, stiles and uneven surfaces.