National Vegetation Classification

The Rabbit Lawn, Berry Head.
National Vegetation Classification: CG1 Festuca Ovina - Carline Vulgaris (Portland Spurge and Autumn Squill Variant)

Portrait of a White Rock Rose, May 2012

22 hectares/54 acres of limestone grassland at Berry Head and Wall's Hill in Torbay. A particularly rare variant of Carline Thistle Fescue Turf with Portland Spurge and Autumn Squill.

The only 22 hectares on the planet.

(with thanks to Andy Byfield, Plantlife)

Kate

Loess

approaching the North Fort, Berry Head

loess: a shallow layer of ancient silt forming a fertile topsoil for the limestone headland - a deposit of silty sediment blown high into the atmosphere by fierce glacial winds during the time of the Ice Ages

This .....reflects that the times of peak loessic silt production, and its deposition were during the ice ages themselves, not afterwards. Also we know definitely that the loess does not all date from the last ice age (though some of it will, of course). There are enough ancient loessic-derived cave earths around our part of Devon that predate the last (Devensian) glaciation that we can be confident about this.

  (with thanks to Dr Chris Proctor)

posted by Kate

Navigating Berry Head

a cow's horns are carved with her name

a beautiful sister loses her way

a man dreams his way out of prison

a map is torn in two and lovers part

a glass eye rolls under a blackberry bush

a swan crash lands and breaks a leg

an episode of history ends

a bloody nose beetle rests under a stone

a moment is recalled

a baby otter is found wandering aloft

a battle is postponed

a greasy ball of butter is rolled in tiny palms

a excise man sheds his heavy coat

a school boy crumples a note and throws it over the edge

a piano master buries his much loved pet

a very big pasty is shared by 16 friends

a commemorative flag is folded and put in a locked box

a can of milk attracts flies

a decoy is set up to attract newcomers

Text by Anna at the Navigational aid on Berry Head.

...no doubt that right now the calcareous flora of berry head is a wonder of the natural world, rarities and unique plant formations flourish in the warmth after the recent wet period. Communities perched on the edge of the sublime as you look in to emptiness over a bright blue sea...

posted by david