Influence on Biodiversity

BlindburnBogThe steep-sided valleys on the Cheviot volcanic rocks typically host grassland dominated by bent and fescue grasses or bracken, which alternates with areas of broken rock; much of this current pattern of vegetation results from modification by sheep grazing. The screes have sparse vegetation dominated by ferns including lemonscented and parsley ferns.

Soils derived from the volcanic rocks are usually base-rich and support some uncommon species such as maiden pink, Jacob’s ladder, common rockrose and hairy rock cress. At higher levels where slopes have lower angles, this gives way to a heather heath/acid grassland mosaic. On the flatter summits extensive areas of blanket bog have formed in the cool wet climate. Here species such as Sphagnum mosses, cottongrasses, cross-leaved heath and cloudberry are characteristic. Arctic alpine species and communities persist on The Cheviot, particularly on ungrazed ledges. Upland lichen species such as Umbilicaria torrefacta, Melanelia hepatizon and Sphaerophorus fragilis occur on Cheviot itself, the Bizzle and Henhole have the richest flora and Cladonia rangiferina has been recorded from Braydon Crag.

Where free, or comparatively free, of superficial deposits, Whin Sill outcrops typically support rather thin, acid soils, which in places support a distinctive Whin Sill grassland flora including wild chives, biting stonecrop, rue-leaved saxifrage and mountain pansy. Craggy outcrops, including those in abandoned quarries, offer important nesting sites for birds including kestrels, raven and peregrines, and possibly roosting sites for bats.