Biodiversity

Flora and Fauna

The Rame headland is home to the Rame Head and Whitsand Bay Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) on the grounds of geology, coastal geomorphology and biology. It is also a County Wildlife Site. It supports a diversity of habitats and numerous species of note. The maritime cliffs are BAP (Biodiversity Action Plan) priority habitats, home to the extremely rare shore dock (Rumex rupestris) and to chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile). 

Areas of short grass on the upper cliff support strong populations of two nationally rare plants – the slender bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus angustissimus) and early meadow-grass (Poa infirma). Musk stork’s bill (Erodium moschatum) and rock sea-lavender (Limonium britannicum subsp. coombense var. coombense) are likewise found in the open sward and on cliff ledges. Both are also nationally rare plant species.

The adder (Vipera berus) and the common lizard (Lacerta agilis) are recorded as is the lesser horseshoe bat, which is fully protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Rame Head is also home to two important species of hoverfly – the striking and rare Chrysotoxum elegans and the nationally scarce Xanthandrus comtus.

A rich diversity of birds are found on the headland. Species of note include the extremely vulnerable Cirl Bunting (Emberiza cirlus), the Song Thrush (Turdus philomelos), the Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis), the Grasshopper Warbler (Locustella naevia), the Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula), the Linnet (Carduelis cannabina) and the Skylark (Alauda arvensis). Bird records for the Rame Head area include several scarce species as well as a number of internationally and nationally important sea and migrant species. 

The waters around Rame Head support a wealth of marine life, including several species of dolphins, whales and seals.

Find out More about Rame Head’s BirdLife