Dartmoor National Park Authority
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Black-a-Tor Copse NNR (SX 5689)
Black a Tor Copse © Petra Tilley
This ancient woodland is situated about 1 mile from Meldon Reservoir up the West Okement River. Now designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) this small upland oakwood surrounded by moorland supports one of the best examples of upland south-western lichen communities in Britain which cloak the oak trees. Several species of nationally rare lichens grow here, including at least 25 trees with Bryoria smithii at its only major British site. Between the copse and the crags of Black Tor Parmelia disscordans is found on boulders, at the only site where this species has been found south of Scotland this century. 44 species of mosses and liverworts and 133 species of lichen have been recorded here. This is also one of the best places on Dartmoor to see breeding ring ouzels.
Page updated 27 August 2009
