Dartmoor National Park Authority
Biodiversity Geology Habitat and Species Management Wildlife Advice and Grants Dartmoor Wildlife Information Research, Survey and Monitoring Biodiversity Projects Operation Wader Wealth of WildlifeNorth Dartmoor SSSI (SX5883)
One of the largest areas of upland semi-natural habitat in southern Britain. It is particularly important for western blanket bog and mixed valley mires and supports a diverse upland breeding bird community. Within the site lies Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve, a high-altitude oak woodland, which is of national importance for lichens. Blanket bog with mainly Sphagnum Mosses and Purple Moor-grass as well as Hare’s Tail Cotton Grass, Cross-leaved Heath, Round-leaved Sundew and Bog Asphodel occupies the highest ground. Mires in the valleys are home to Bogbean, Soft Rush and various sedges. Drier areas of moorland are dominated by Heather, Purple Moor-grass, Cross-leaved Heath and Western Gorse. Unusual plants on this site include Cranberry, Fir Clubmoss, Lemon-scented Fern, Tunbridge and Wilson’s Filmy-fern and the rare Bog Orchid in some places. The only regular breeding colony of Golden Plover and Dunlin in southern Britain occurs here as well as the largest breeding colony of Ring Ouzel in southern England. Also present are breeding Whinchat and Wheatear (see ‘Dartmoor – a special place for moorland birds’ leaflet). Although most of this area is common land and open for access there are several military ranges on this site and few paths so check your map and firing dates and times carefully before going out.
Page updated 14 February 2007
