Stoney Hill Community Wildlife Area
Stoney Hill Community Wildlife Area is situated between Marne Crescent and Bridgefold Road. It comprises of a meadow area bordered by deciduous woodland.
The Spotland Estate Clean and Green team are aiming to create an area rich in native wildlife to improve the biodiversity, whilst creating a tranquil space for residents and visitors to enjoy.
The Rochdale Field Naturalists have helped us survey the site and we have now recorded more than 500 different species, including 30 different trees and shrubs, 110 flowering plants, 34 species of birds and more than 240 types of invertebrate. There are 27 species of bees found on the site.
In 2019 we entered Rochdale in Bloom and were awarded Level 4 - Thriving, in the In Your Neighbourhood category. Since then we have consistently received Level 5 outstanding, with the last score being 91/100, with the comment “This site was a good example of how to get it right”. In 2021 Britain in Bloom awarded us the Ken Holgate special award for best biodiversity in the North West and in 2024 we were given the special Conservation and Environmental Award.
We have a management plan agreed with Rochdale Borough Council and work on the area at least once a month, either on the first Friday or Saturday. We advertise the dates on our Facebook page.
More than 30 people have helped make the site what it is today.
If you have a love of nature, would like to get fit, whilst making new friends do come and join us. All training and tools are supplied, and there's free biscuits!