Shropshire Wildlife Trust raising funds to buy 50-acre nature-rich site
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Betchcott Hill has glorious views across the county and a mix of habitats home to curlew, cuckoo and lapwing. One of the most scenic and nature-rich spots in western England could be protected for ever in a boost for the curlew, cuckoo, lapwing and snipe that nest there.
![[A view of a woodland with thick grass underneath]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/82e252a8b7c690cbb0887d5f7b93ce357752beea/0_276_4000_2400/master/4000.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Betchcott Hill has views across much of the county and its mix of grassland, wet flushes, woodland and heath sings with the calls of endangered birds in spring. The 50-acre upland site is in the heart of the Shropshire Hills national landscape (formerly area of outstanding natural beauty) but has never enjoyed legal protection.
Now Shropshire Wildlife Trust is closing in on its biggest-ever fundraising target to save the hill for the nation and have funds to enhance its potential for wildlife. “It’s got a wonderful mixture of things that make it great – it’s got some special species like curlew and lapwing and brown hare. It’s also got a lovely range of habitats,” said Tom Freeland, the head of nature reserves for the trust. “It’s in a real sweet spot in the landscape, in the Shropshire Hills, where the Long Mynd and Stipperstones ridges meet. It’s a crucial stepping stone for nature and it’s also got the potential to be better – that’s one of the key reasons we want to take it on.”.
The grassland has been low-quality grazing for sheep and is not very biodiverse but the trust plans to introduce more nature-friendly grazing with cattle – moving them around the site with no-fence collars – and spread local green hay (containing wildflower seeds) on the grassland to increase its floral diversity.
