The Ercall

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The Ercall
The Ercall's quarries viewed from the south.
Elevation	140 metres (459 feet) (approx.)
Location	Shropshire, England
Range	Shropshire Hills
OS grid reference	SJ643096

The Ercall, sometimes known as Ercall Hill, is a small hill in the ceremonial county of Shropshire, England. It is located between The Wrekin and Wellington, in the Telford & Wrekin borough. It is regarded as an internationally important geological site, which is part of The Wrekin and The Ercall Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The hill is managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust. The site includes 540 million year old ripple beds and ancient pre-Cambrian lava flows in exposed quarries. [1] Quartzite from the neighbouring Wrekin is also visible. The Ercall bears the marks of extensive quarrying, although the quarries are now disused, safe and open to the public. When the M54 motorway was constructed in 1974, the road was built through the northern end of the hill.

[edit] Flora and Fauna

The woods of the forest are important for various butterfly species. In the summer, the Ercall Woods which line the hill are a favourite habitat for the Speckled Wood and during spring when the forest is laden with bluebells, the Dingy Skipper can arrive in great numbers. The exposed quarries are popular with other butterfly species, including the Green Hairstreak and Wall, which like to bask in sheltered spots.

On the upper slopes of the hill tall oak trees predominate. Acidic soils support such plants as bilberry, climbing corydalis and heath bedstraw. The Green woodpecker is also present in the woods.[2]

[edit] Access

The hill is accessed in much the same way as The Wrekin nearby; exit the M54 motorway at J7 (last exit) or the last junction of the A5 from Shrewsbury before it becomes the M54. From there The Wrekin is signposted; follow this road until you reach The Wrekin, then follow the sign for the Buckatree Hotel. There is a small car park across the road from this pub/hotel, and the entrance is clearly visible.