The National Nature Reserve at Goonhilly Downs is a Site of Special Scientific Interest that forms a raised plateau in the central western area of the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall. The Downs themselves are an area of sparse heathland, based on serpentinite geology and is home to rare plants, such as the Cornish heather, which has been adopted as the county flower. It is also archaeologically significant for its large concentration of Early Bronze Age (c2500 to 1500 BC) round barrows.
The grassland is often used for grazing cattle and horses. Mounds across the downs were placed there during WW2 to deter enemy gliders from landing and attacking the adjacent radar station at RAF Dry Tree, later Goonhilly Earth Station. The scanners are now used for other purposes including deep space exploration.
Bird watchers are attracted to the Lizard Peninsula, with the sea on three sides and the Helford River to the north, making the are an ecological microcosm and home to one of Britain's rarest breeding birds, the Cornish Chough. A species of crow with distinctive red beak and legs and a haunting 'chee-aw' call, the Chough began breeding here in 2002 after a long absence and a concerted effort by local conservationists.
Considered by many to be a little different from the rest of Cornwall, the Lizard Peninsula has the warmest average climate in the country, is a remote and unspoilt place consisting mostly of gentle heath and coastal grassland. Abounding in SSSIs, the peninsula is home to several nature reserves such as the huge Windmill Farm, managed by the Cornwall Wildlife Trust with raised walkways and bird hides overlooking pools, and Goonhilly Downs, where the flat heathland attracts birds of prey such as Buzzards, Hen Harriers and Owls. Bird watches are often seen at this cache hiding point.
Lizard Point, the most southerly point on mainland Britain, attracts a great variety of bird life, both resident and passage. The Common Scoter and Puffin pass through in Summer, with Wheatear, Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail appearing in September.
Firecrests and Redstarts start arriving in early Spring, soon to be followed by Chiffchaff, Short-Eared Owl, Whitethroat and Spotted Flycatcher. In winter look out for Great Northern Divers, Guillemot, Razorbill, Hen Harrier, Peregrine, Merlin and Purple Sandpiper.
Much of The Lizard is protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, owned by the National Trust as part of their coastal preservation project or managed by Natural England. The A3083 runs from Helston to Lizard Point.
This cache has been placed with the kind permission of Natural England who manage Goonhilly Downs and many other local ecologically important areas.