A National Nature Reserve in Cornwall, England, located 7.5 mi south-west of Bodmin. It is overlooked by Castle an Dinas to the north, and the church of St Dennis in the south. It is the largest continuous mire complex in south-west Britain and consists of mainly peatland and lowland heath. This reserve is situated in a broad relatively flat, valley basin which forms the headwaters of the River Fal. It contains areas of dry and wet heath, mire, fen and open water, and a diverse mix of wildlife habitats. These are home to some of the country’s rarest species. The River Fal rises on the moor at Pentivale and flows (11 mi) to the English Channel at Carrick Roads. Together with the neighboring moor to the east, it forms the Goss And Tregoss Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), as well as the Breney Common and Goss and Tregoss Moors Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
History
Between 1908 and 1916 steam powered suction and cutter dredges were used for the mining of alluvial tin on the moor. Drilling took place in 1908 and 1909 but the position of the boreholes and what they contained have been lost. Approximately 70 tons of tin concentrate was extracted and the dredges were later moved to Breney Common, Molinnis and Red Moor. The area was designated as the Goss and Tregoss Moors Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1988.
The reserve’s range of habitats and species has resulted in its being designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation. It is home to a number of scarce and rare species including:
Plants
Some of Cornwall’s rarest vascular plants can be found on the site, such as the nationally scarce yellow centaury (Cicendia filiformis), marsh clubmoss, cornish moneywort and pillwort.
Invertebrates
18 species of dragonflies and damselflies present, including the nationally scarce small red damselfly and the variable damselfly.
Butterflies and Moths
29 species of butterfly have been recorded at the reserve, including the marsh fritillary, Silver-studded Blue, Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, Grizzled Skipper. Moths include the narrow-bordered bee hawk and double line.
Mammals
Dormice reside both in the grassy open areas and in the areas dominated by willow. Otters are nocturnal visitors, as are roe deer, which can be seen at dawn and dusk as they venture out to graze.
The River Fal and associated wetlands support populations of eel and brook lamprey. Over 70 species of birds breed on the site, with others arriving on the reserve to spend winter. These include bittern, great grey shrike and hen harrier.
Golitha Falls NNR is a steeply sided wooded valley, with the River Fowey flowing through it in a series of spectacular cascades that drop 295 feet in altitude. Much of the reserve is a long gorge, lined with ancient oak woodland, with Draynes Wood recorded in the Domesday Book (1086),that gives way to the River Fowey at the bottom.
Like Goss Moor, this site is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest for its woodland flora. The dramatic landscape created by the River Fowey is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It’s one of Cornwall’s richest valleys for bryophytes in Cornwall, with more than 120 species recorded here. It is equally important for lichens, with 48 species including the nationally rare Parmelia minarum. Woodland wildflowers include bluebells and wood anemone. In spring the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells and wood anemones, while the meadow areas see bugle, self-heal, white clover, common tormentil and valerian species flourish.
The reserve is also home to dormice, which reside in the ancient hazel coppice. Noctule, brown long-eared and lesser horseshoe bats have also been recorded.
The river supports healthy populations of both salmon and sea trout. Otters are often seen exploring the falls.
The reserve supports 83 species of moth, including the notable double lines. Butterflies include the meadow brown, marbled white, green veined white, gatekeeper, small skipper, ringlet, speckled wood and silver-washed fritillary.
Extra care should be taken when visiting after heavy rainfall as the waterfalls can become torrential.
Let Rawhide Travel and Tours help you get there and if you want to stay in comfort rather than camping out we can help. Call us at (602) 843-5100 or visit our website: rawhidetravel.com
Presented By:
Rawhide Travel and Tours Inc.
6008 West Bell Road # F105
Glendale, Arizona 85308-3793
602-843-5100
rawhidetravel.com
No comments:
Post a Comment