area. The principal escarpments are formed in a west to east
direction by the Hoar Edge Grit and Chatwell Sandstone
(Ordovician), the Wenlock and Aymestry Limestones etc.
(Silurian) and, finally, the sandstones above the limestone
bands in the Old Red Sandstone. The area behind the two
Silurian escarpments is occupied by the Ludlow Shales. The
Shales between the Cheney Longville Flags (Ordovician) and
the Wenlock Limestone (Silurian) form a conspicuous zone of
low relief, as does the predominantly red marls of the
Dowton Series (Old Red Sandstone),
The area lying south-east of the series of Silurian
scarps is dominated by the Clee Hills. These Hills, which
rise up to about 1800-ft., are notable features, being
outliers of Carboniferous rocks rising from the Old Red
Sandstone plain. Into these Carboniferous outliers and
forming marked features, are a series of basaltic intrusions,
known locally as Dhustone.
One of the problems in attempting to give a brief
account of the geology of an area as important as this, is,
not what to put in, but what to leave out. I am certain
that those who attended the meeting would agree that in any
one of the places visited, we could have spent a whole
weekend trip alone.
Ron Coates.
Notes on the Birds of the Church Stretton Area
In all, 54 different kinds of bird were seen during
the weekend. It was most encouraging for us to be able to
hear and see some birds that only turn up occasionally in
Essex. These included Grey Wagtail, sitting on the nest
beside the stream in Cardingmill Valley. Numerous Wood
Warblers in the woods of the Wrekin and a Redstart was also
seen and heard here.
All the common Warblers were seen and heard. Willow
Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Lesser and
Common Whitethroat, and Wheatears were seen in the Cardingmill
Valley, both males and females.
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