KINGSCLIFF COUNTY WILDLIFE SITE
The County Wildlife Site lies in the parish of North Petherton. Here the land rises steeply from 46 to 183 metres above sea level, the top of the Morte Slate Ridge. This Ridge runs throughout the site alongside the stream, which forms the northern parish boundary. Traditionally this site was a valued local resource for slate extraction, hunting and timber harvest; today this historic site is of special interest to ecologists, geologists and industrial archaeologists. Here you will discover impressive bare rock faces surrounded by mature woodland, rich in species diversity.
Many different types of tree can be found in these woods including yew and Cherry, which are good indicators of ancient woodland in the Southwest. Ancient woodland is of particular ecological significance and is designated to sites that have been continuously wooded for a minimum of three to four hundred years.
The great age of many of the trees in these woods provide additional microhabitats for other species like invertebrates (such as beetles), nesting holes for birds and small mammals as well as favourable conditions for fungi. There are also many examples of mosses and slow growing lichens that have had the chance to establish themselves here.
Directions:
From the centre of North Petherton on the A38, turn at the library onto Watery Lane, at the T junction turn right onto the High Street. Take the first right onto Cliff road, continuing up the hill and out of North Petherton, ignoring all roads on your right including Melcombe Lane, which is next to the last building in North Petherton. After leaving the village take the next right, follow the road as it gently bends to the left and then the car park should appear in front on you. From here, start on the path. Please don't deviate from the path to find this cache. The path will split, follow the path up the cliff to your left until you reach the steep cycle ramps. You will need to either scale these, or walk around it to get up this part. From here, you may check out GC6F3XY (hollow, it's me) which is in the same area, or continue to hike up the steep incline to the yellow arrow marker, then follow the top path to the right of you next to the wheat farm. You do not need to leave this path again as it leads straight to the cache.
The terrain can get muddy if it has rained , so bring wellies with you !
Please put back into the same place it is hidden.