Abberley & Malvern Hills Geopark http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog The Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark covers 1250 square kilometres in Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire in the UK. Here you will find outstanding geology that spans 700 million years of our Earth's history, dramatic landscapes and a wealth of ecological, historical, and cultural gems. We seek to celebrate our geological heritage, promote excellence in geoconservation and also achieve sustainable development through geotourism. en-us Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:59:18 +0000 Biodiversity image collection Blogware astinton Castlemorton Common http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253143.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253143.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 The gorse indicates an acid soil. The poorer soils are derived from outwash from the Malvern Hills. Biodiversity image collection astinton Bilberry Malvern Hills http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253144.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253144.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Foxglove, Wyre Forest http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253145.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253145.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Seggy Pool, Comer Woods. Dudmaston Estate http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253146.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253146.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Common Dog-Violets http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253147.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253147.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Common dog-violets, essential food-plant of the nationally rare butterfly the high brown fritillary, growing under a bracken cover, Castlemorton Common Biodiversity image collection astinton West Malvern scarp and vale http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253149.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253149.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 West Malvern Ancient Semi-Natural Oak Woodlands (Cother Wood). Underlain by Silurian limestones, the soils are too thin for productive agriculture Biodiversity image collection astinton Hartlebury Common http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253150.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253150.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Gorse and Heather on the acid sandy soils of Hartlebury Common Biodiversity image collection astinton Bluebells, Daddy Wood Eardington http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253151.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253151.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Black Poplars, Castlemorton Common http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253153.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253153.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Sheep grazing is important for maintaining the open landscape. Black poplars are nationally scarce Biodiversity image collection astinton Silverweed http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253152.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253152.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 On the edge of Severn Valley railway track, Hampton Loade Biodiversity image collection astinton Castlemorton Common http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253154.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253154.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Cattle grazing on the species rich grasslands, Castlemorton Common. The neutral soils on the Common are derived from Severn Valley sediments Biodiversity image collection astinton Wild Daffodils. Huntley Quarry http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253155.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253155.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Spindle http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253156.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253156.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 As seen on the calcareous soils of the limestone ridges around Ledbury Biodiversity image collection astinton Conifer Plantation, Wyre Forest http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253157.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253157.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Hazel coppice with oak standards growing in Monkwood, north of Worcester http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253158.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253158.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 This ancient semi-natural woodland has been recognised as a SSSI principally because of its butterflies and other invertebrates Biodiversity image collection astinton Bluebells, Malvern Hills http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253159.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253159.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Fungi in woods around Shelsley Walsh http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253162.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253162.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 The steep narrow dingles of the Bromyard Plateau around Shelsley Walsh give rise to a wood floor rich in decaying matter. Fungi bloom in these conditions and several species can be found Biodiversity image collection astinton Monkwood http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253161.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253161.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 The importance of the species rich, semi-natural grasslands which have developed on the waterlogged, acid to neutral soils of Monkwood Green are recognised by its designation as a SSSI Biodiversity image collection astinton Wild flower river banks. River Severn, Bridgnorth http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253160.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253160.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Lichen, Ivy scar Rock, Malvern Hills http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253163.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253163.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Forest Oak, Quatford http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253164.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253164.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Blushing Bracket fungi http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253165.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253165.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Knapp and Papermill Nature Reserve, Astley Biodiversity image collection astinton Calcareous grassland flowers http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253166.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253166.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Wild garlic and Bluebells. Ankerdine Common http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253168.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253168.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Wood anemones, Monkwood http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253169.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253169.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Dog Rose http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253170.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253170.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Common in hedgerows and in invading scrub, Castlemorton Common. Biodiversity image collection astinton Long-tailed Tit nest, Monkwood http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253171.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253171.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Apple Blossom, Knights Orchards, Storridge http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253173.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253173.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Biodiversity image collection astinton Lady’s Bedstraw http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253174.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253174.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 Occurs on neutral soils, Castlemorton Common Biodiversity image collection astinton Fungi, Shelsley Walsh http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253175.html http://www.geopark.org.uk/blog/_archives/2009/7/12/4253175.html Sun, 12 Jul 2009 23:36:22 +0100 The steep narrow dingles of the Bromyard Plateau around Shelsley Walsh give rise to a wood floor rich in decaying matter. Fungi bloom in these conditions and several species can be found Biodiversity image collection