South Dartmoor SSSI (SX6266)
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© Simon Bates, Natural England
This upland site contains some of the most extensive areas of blanket bog, valley mire and acid grassland/heathland in southern England. At an altitude of up to 500 m and a very high annual rainfall this area also provides the headwaters for several major rivers in south Devon. The area is treeless and heavily grazed by livestock. Blanket bog occurs on the highest ground and here you will find Sphagnum mosses, Common Cotton-grass, Hare’s-tail Cotton-grass, Purple Moor-grass, Cross-leaved Heath and Heather (see Dartmoor Pocket Guide – Moorland Plants). Many areas are dominated by Bilberry or a mixture of Heather and Bilberry and grassland areas support Purple Moor-grass, Mat-grass, Sheep’s Fescue and Bristle Bent. Breeding birds include Red Grouse, Dunlin, Snipe, Whinchat and Wheatear, all of which are uncommon in Southern England (see ‘Dartmoor – a special place for moorland birds’ leaflet in this folder). The Two Moors Way passes right through this site.
