Aylestone Meadows
Details
Wildlife Highlights
The area is a good all-round site for birds and occasionally throws up something unusual during migration time. It is very rich in insect life too. Some parts have notable flowers, with Marsh Marigolds growing in profusion near to the pack horse bridge in Aylestone and Restharrow along the disused Great Central Railway.
Description
Aylestone Meadows is the best area for wildlife within the city of Leicester. It is a sizeable green wedge along the River Soar and Grand Union Canal and is also bisected by the former Great Central Railway line - now a popular walking and cycling route. In the past, a large area of the flood meadows was used as a landfill site and today the landscaped mound is used as a sports pitch. The mixture of aquatic habitats, grazed meadows, ponds and rough grassland provides a rich and diverse habitat for much wildlife.
Latest Records
| Common Name | Latin Name | Date Recorded | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilated Scalewort | Frullania dilatata | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Grey-cushioned Grimmia | Grimmia pulvinata | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Lecanora albescens | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Lecanora dispersa | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Lecanora polytropa | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Lecidella stigmatea | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Melanelixia fuliginosa subsp. glabratula | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Forked Veilwort | Metzgeria furcata | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Wood Bristle-moss | Orthotrichum affine | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Hammered Shield Lichen | Parmelia sulcata | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Parmotrema perlatum | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Phaeophyscia orbicularis | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Ramalina canariensis | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
| Cartilage Lichen | Ramalina farinacea | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls |
| Rhizocarpon geographicum | 26/02/2012 | David Nicholls | |
Getting There
There are several access points with free car parking. Canal Street, off Aylestone Road, provides good access to the city end and the car park at the end of Sanvey Lane in Aylestone village leads you into the more southern part.
