Lindow Common is one of only a few small areas of lowland heath in Cheshire, and consequently an extremely rare and important habitat. It was designated an SSSI in 1963 and is also a Local Nature Reserve.
Common heather is widespread, but there also some much rarer species (for lowland Cheshire) hidden within this small site. These include bogbean, cross-leaved heath, bog asphodel, bog rosemary, cranberry and the carnivorous round-leaved sundew:
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| Bog Asphodel (Narthecium ossifragum) |
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| Round-Leaved Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) |
This unusual habitat also supports unusual wildlife - it is a breeding area for common lizards, and green tiger beetles can be seen in the sandier areas. There are many species of dragonflies and large numbers of frogs and toads breed in Black Lake, as do water voles. Presumably there is at least one badger as well given this footprint:
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| Badger (Meles meles) footprint |
Flora noted on the walk: Hogweed, Holly, Marsh Thistle, Pineappleweed, Common Ragwort, Silver Birch, Round-leaved Sundew, Heather, Cross-leaved Heath, Broom, Meadow Vetchling, Greater Bird's-foot-trefoil, Gorse, Tufted Vetch, Pedunculate Oak, Herb-Robert, Yellow Iris, Bog Asphodel, Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, Greater Plantain, Cock's-foot, Common Reed, Meadowsweet, Silverweed, Tormentil, Bramble, Cleavers.
The oak trees showed abundant galls, including Oak Apple, Knopper and Common Spangle Gall.
There were a number of earthballs.
While Black Lake was difficult to see clearly in places because of the high vegetation, some of the common water birds were seen: Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, along with Wood Pigeon and House Martin.
For further information about Lindow Common, see: http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/leisure,_culture_and_tourism/ranger_service/countryside_sites/lindow_common_-_wilmslow.aspx.
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