Field trip to Berry Head (Botany Section)

Meet at the north end of the car-park at SX941563. No dogs. There is a pay on exit car-park; free parking in the lanes around Berry Head (such as Gillard Road or roads up from the end of Berry Head Road) is possible but limited. It is possible to walk up from Brixham. There are toilets.

We will be examining the areas around the North and South Forts, The Rabbit Lawn (where there has been some scrub control opening up bare rock) and part of the coastal path as time allows. The Berry Head specialities which should be in flower are White Rock-rose Helianthemum apenninum, Horseshoe Vetch Hippocrepis comosa, Small Hare’s-ear Bupleurum baldense. Other species of note are Thalictrum minus, Ononis reclinata, Trinia glauca and Asperula cynanchica. Also Goldilocks Aster Galatella (Aster), linosyris although not in flower the distinctive foliage should make it visible.

There is a write-up on the important limestone areas of Devon in the DA’s A New Flora of Devon which is available here (on this website), and also in some libraries. Berry Head National Nature Reserve also has heritage interest (Napoleonic-era forts). Ice creams are available from the Guardhouse Cafe at the North Fort.

Meetings are from 11.00 a.m. to approximately 4.00 p.m. unless otherwise stated.

Non-members are welcome. Bring packed lunch, appropriate footwear and clothing, as well as sufficient water, sun-block, insect repellent or other essentials required for a day outdoors. Please contact the leader if you wish to attend – meeting details can sometimes change at short notice and if the weather forecast looks poor the meeting may have to be cancelled. You should also check with the leader if you wish to bring your dog.