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WildlifeClimbing to just over 1000 feet (334m) above sea level, Kit Hill is the highest point of Hingston Down ridge, within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Apart from small scale cultivation in the Bronze Age and Medieval times, Kit Hill has only ever been lightly grazed. This, combined with periodic cutting and burning of vegetation, has enabled heathland to survive. Characterised by a mix of heathers, gorses, grasses and bilberry (known locally as Whortleberry) this is a precious remnant of Western Heath habitat. The Hill is currently managed by a system of grazing, cutting and burning. This helps to maintain the heathland - if left completely on its own the ground would revert to scrub woodland. The Hill supports a variety of insects, reptiles, birds and mammals. Stonechat, skylark and tree pipit nest in the heathland, while buzzard and kestrel hunt overhead. Furry moth caterpillars are common on the heather and during the summer months the sunny slopes are popular with basking adders. On other parts of the Hill, deciduous woodland is returning and the old quarrying works have become valuable wetlands; coming alive with frogs and toads in spring and dragonflies and damselflies throughout the summer. Nature has even reclaimed the mine workings with bats roosting deep underground. Much of Kit Hill’s flora and fauna is nationally rare and protected by law. |
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