Blackstone Point
Also within
Condition (Natural England)
| Unit | Feature | Condition | Area (ha) | Assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SX537461 | — | Favourable | 7.81 | 2010-05-20 |
Climate exposure
This is about exposure to a nationwide pressure this habitat type carries — not a verdict on this site's own management.
Coastal habitats are exposed to sea-level rise and storm erosion. Where hard sea defences sit behind them, there's nowhere landward to retreat to — a squeeze that keeps compressing the habitat no matter how well it's managed.
Geology & landscape
Geological Feature: Raised Beach · Geological Period: Devonian, Quaternary
Landscape processes: Coastal, Periglacial
Description
Blackstone Point SSSI Description This site is notified because of the occurrence of the internationally rare flowering plant Rumex rupestris (shore dock). The species is a European coastal endemic that is threatened throughout its range with its world status recorded as vulnerable. General Description Blackstone Point is located on the South Devon Coast between the Erme and Yealm estuaries. The site lies on the cliffs slopes and raised beach of overlain quaternary and periglacial deposits forming head, which provides the ideal habitat for the shore dock. The underlying geology of the site consists of slates from the Dartmouth Group of the Lower Devonian period. This provides the freshwater seepage habitats, which are needed by the shore dock communities. Blackstone Point is of special interest because it supports the second largest rocky foreshore communities of shore dock in the United Kingdom and the largest population in Devon. The site is provides nesting habitat for the rare cirl bunting for which the south Devon coast is the species stronghold within the United Kingdom. Other Information: In recognition of its international importance shore dock is listed under Annexes II(b) and IV(b) of the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora 1992 92/43/EEC (commonly known as the Habitats Directive), it is also listed on Appendix 1 of the Bern Convention and Schedule 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (as amended). Shore dock is listed as a priority species in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan 1995. The site lies within the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and South Devon Heritage Coast
Species mentioned
Show the 2 species mentioned in the description, with red-list status| English name search for this in other sites |
Latin name search with Google |
IUCN / Red List | Type | Family |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cirl bunting | Emberiza cirlus | LC (Breeding) | bird-bunting | emberizidae |
| shore dock | Rumex rupestris | EN | herb | polygonaceae |
Insects to look out for
These moths, butterflies and beetles are known to feed on plants recorded at this site, and carry a notable UK conservation status — but a host-plant being present doesn't mean the insect has actually been recorded here. Treat this as "worth watching for," not a confirmed sighting.
| Species | Status | Via host-plant |
|---|---|---|
| Broom moth Ceramica pisi |
Vulnerable | Rumex spp. |
| Garden dart Euxoa nigricans |
Vulnerable | Rumex spp. |
| Beaded chestnut Agrochola lychnidis |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
| Grey chi Antitype chi |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
| Garden tiger Arctia caja |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
| The sallow Cirrhia icteritia |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
| Autumnal rustic Eugnorisma glareosa |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
| Dark-barred twin-spot carpet Xanthorhoe ferrugata |
Near Threatened | Rumex spp. |
Host-plant data: Cook et al. (2025), Traits data for the butterflies and macro-moths of Great Britain and Ireland, 2024, UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology / Butterfly Conservation; and Padovani et al. (2020), Database of Insects and their Food Plants (DBIF), UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (both Open Government Licence). Contains data supplied by UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology.