Beacon Hill Leicestershire SSSI – Site of Special Scientific Interest
The beacon
Why an SSSI? • This means it is protected • For geology – the rocks • For flora – the flowers and trees • For fauna – the animals and birds
SSSI The rocks of Charnwood Forest are amongst the oldest in England and are famous throughout the world.
Native trees • Trees that arrived and grew here naturally after the last Ice Age, and were not introduced by humans.
Native Tree Collection • Around 8,000 trees have been planted. • There are 28 species of trees and shrubs native to the British Isles. • Also cultivated, ornamental varieties of these species.
Fastigiate pear tree
• Native trees support the most species of animals.
•Most of our native trees are broadleaved and they drop their leaves in winter. •Eg beech, birch, oak, ash and lime. •The UK has around 50 species of native trees and shrubs, including three conifers.
The woods are managed. Here is some new planting.
Some trees need to be felled (cut down).
Helping birds.
Using the wood for carving.
Sometimes the stream overflows – this needs to be managed.
Trig (triangulation) point
At 245m (802 feet), Beacon Hill is the second highest point in Leicestershire.
• 700 million years ago. • The rocks which make up Beacon Hill were formed when volcanic eruptions deposited layers of ash at the bottom of an ancient sea.
• About 600 million years ago intense geological activity caused the rock strata to buckle and fold.
• Here the rocks at the summit have been tilted steeply. • They used to be horizontal.
Factfile on the Charnia Fossil: The Charnwood Fossil - Charnia masoni – is believed to be around 560 million years old and is the oldest fossil in the country, and one of the oldest in the world. It looks like a leaf or a feather
A bronze-age hill fort There was a settlement with a bank and a ditch surrounding 75% of the hilltop, and a smaller outer bank. Pottery and late bronze artefacts have been found here, including a mould for casting axeheads. This was about 3000 years ago.
Beacon Hill is legally protected by “English Heritage� as a Scheduled Ancient Monument
The Heath The area provides an important habitat for a wide range of plants, insects, birds and mammals. Unfortunately, bracken, scrub and trees are spreading.
English Longhorn Cattle
A small herd of Longhorns graze the summit of Beacon Hill, maintaining the heathland habitat.
Sheep A mixed herd of Manx and Hebridian sheep graze the heathland, keeping down invasive species such as bracken.
Alpacas Following a number of fatal dog attacks a pair of South American alpacas, Fluffy and Attie have been introduced to protect the flock of sheep, and also help with grazing.
This picture is on a poster at Beacon Hill.
Pig Power The pigs have uprooted and cleared the unwanted species such as bracken, sycamore and birch scrub, allowing heather and gorse to grow.
Posters describe the animals and their usefulness.
What is this?
And this?
Health & Safety • Sensible shoes or trainers • Coat • Don’t wander off – stay in your groups