When people think of Exmoor it is the moors and heaths that most people think of. The Dunster Estate is no exception and has extensive areas of Lowland Heath...
Dunster Heathland where dwarf shrubs such as western gorse (Ulex gallii), heather (Calluna vulgaris and Erica cinerea) and bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) dominate the vegetation. Some of our higher areas of heath are wetter and support slightly different vegetation types, such as Purple moor grass (Molinia caerulea) showing a transition to Upland Heath.
Heathland can appear to be natural and undisturbed, but much of it is actually created by humans. People cleared huge areas of the ancient forests left after the glaciers retreated 10,000 years ago, for wood and for grazing livestock. Today heathlands need to be kept open using a range of techniques such as controlled burning, grazing animals and scrub clearance.
Dunster Estate Heathlands:
• Hopcott Common (Lowland Heath)
• Black Hill (Lowalnd-Upland Heath transitional)
• Rodhuish Common (Lowalnd-Upland Heath transitional)
• Gallox Hill and Bats Castle (Lowland Heath)
Key Heathland species to look out for:-
Heath Fritillary (Mellicta athalia) Historically associated with coppice management (where trees are cut just above ground level and the shoots are harvested sustainably for a range of wood products), but now under threat due to decline in the practice of coppicing to manage woodlands. Look out for these attractive butterflies between June and August as they feed on cow wheat (Melampyrum pratense) on Gallox Hill and Hopcott Common.
Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)- A dark grey coloured, rare bird, restricted to limited areas in southern England and known by its distinctive musical song and tail which is held high in flight and constantly fanned and cocked when perched. Look for these all year round in mature gorse and lowland heaths.
Red Deer (Cervus elephus)- The largest of the UK’s wild deer with a reddish-brown summer coat and found often in large herds, in woodland and on open moorland, throughout Exmoor. The male stags carry large antlers, which are shed during the Autumn ‘rut’ (breeding season) re-growing again before the following spring. The females (hinds) have their calves in June. May be seen on the slopes below Hopcott Common all year round, but listen out for the roaring of the stags during the rutting season.
Exmoor Pony (Equus caballus)- Along with the Red Deer, one of the most iconic species of Exmoor. These hardy ponies are the purest and most primitive of all of the British Isle’s native ponies. Exmoor Ponies are extremely rare, but are very hardy and resistant to diseases. Look out for these fascinating beasts on Black Hill as they assist with the conservation grazing management of the heath.