Exploring Habitats: Wondrous Woodlands

Dartmoor’s upland oak woods are special places, with stunted trees draped in mosses and lichens; places that support rare plants and animals, and that feel rather magical. We will visit Black-a-Tor Copse, less visited than Wistman’s Wood, more remote and just as charming.

You will learn what makes upland oak woods so special and fragile, and consider some of the species they contain, from ferns that grow on tree branches to lichens and mosses that cover almost every surface. Each participant will receive a hand lens (new and yours to keep) – you’ll be amazed how much more you can see. We may be lucky enough to see some of the birdlife too, including dippers diving into the river and grey wagtails catching insects on the wing. You will learn the names of two or three species but the day is not so much about absorbing facts as appreciating these very special woodlands.

Start point
Meldon Reservoir car park EX20 4LU. Grid reference SX562917

Distance
5 miles

Knowledge level
Beginner

Walk difficulty
Moderate — some uneven ground and a bit of clambering over boulders