Wildlife at Beacon Hill
Heathland Management
The open heathland around the slopes of Beacon Hill is of special ecological importance, and is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) by Natural England. The area provides an important habitat for a wide range of plants, insects, birds and mammals, many of which require such conditions for their survival. Unfortunately, the wildlife value of the heath has declined over recent decades due to the gradual spread of bracken, scrub and trees, replacing heathland plant communities.
With the support of Natural England, Leicestershire County Council has begun a long-term programme to restore the heathland around Beacon Hill. This involves reducing invasive species of plants and trees and encouraging the growth of Heather, Bilberry, Heath Bedstraw and other characteristic heathland plants.
The attractive mosaic of heathland vegetation, which is re-emerging, supports a wide range of insects and other small creatures which, in turn, provide food for reptiles, birds and mammals.
|
Pig Power A team of Welsh Pigs have done a great job of helping with the heathland restoration project. The pigs natural foraging has uprooted and cleared the unwanted species such as bracken, sycamore and birch scrub, allowing heather and gorse to grow.
|
|
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.
|
Water Features
There are two ponds at Beacon Hill, both support a host of insects such as Diving Beetles, Pond Skaters and Water Boatmen.
|
Franks Pit (In the woods at the southeast end of the Park) Newts: This pond supports many Common Newts and Great Crested Newts, both are protected species under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Dragonflies: Many varieties breed here. If you look closely into the still water you may see the fearsome looking dragonfly nymphs. This part of their lifecycle can take up to four years to complete. Once the nymph is fully grown, and the weather is right it will crawl out of the water up the stem of a plant, shed its skin, and will then be a dragonfly. The dazzling adult dragonflies only live about two months, during which they dart about the Park hunting insects on the wing, find a mate, and the females lay eggs. Plant life: Sphagnum Moss and several varieties of fern fringe the pond. Marsh Violet and Lesser Skullcap, both scarce in Leicestershire can be found closeby.
|
|
Frying Pan Pond (On the edge of the northern track) Newts: The rare Palmate Newts with their whip-ended tails might be seen as they rise to the water’s surface in Spring and early Summer. This is one of just a few breeding sites of this rare creature Plant life: supports numerous clumps of Flote Grass, and the small round leaves of the Marsh Pennywort can be seen around the edges. Please note: due to the wildlife importance of these ponds, dogs are not permitted to enter the water. The newts are all protected Under Section 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and it is an offence to recklessly disturb a place which is used by Great Crested Newts.
|
Trees
The wooded areas provide homes for a great variety of insects, birds and animals.
|
Native Tree Collection Beacon Hill Country Park is situated within the new National Forest and, as part of this initiative; a Native Tree Collection has been established close to the lower car park. Around 8,000 trees have been planted with representatives of each of the 28 species of trees and shrubs native to the British Isles and cultivated, ornamental varieties of these species. Visitors to the Native Tree Collection can enjoy listening to poems about trees which have been written and recorded by Year 5 students from St. Paul's Primary School, Woodhouse Eaves. Each yellow listening box holds up to one minute of thought provoking poetry.
|
|
West Beacon Fields 27,000 trees were planted here in the year 2000. Species of trees such as Oak and Silver Birch were selected, which are representative of Charnwood Forest. Mature Trees Before and during the Second World War, many of the largest trees were felled and removed from the Park but you can still see fine specimens of Beech, Oak, Sweet Chestnut and Scots Pine, remnants of bygone days.
|
Bird Life
|
Among the many birds at the park are the Meadow Pipit and Reed Bunting, which are commonly seen, and the dipping flight of the Green Woodpecker with its cackling call is another unmistakable resident.
|
Nightlife
| As day draws to a close and the visitors leave, the night-time inhabitants begin to make an appearance, including foxes, Tawny Owls, and several species of bat and badgers. |
Page Last Updated: 21 October 2010
