RETIRE COMMON - S.S.S.I.
Retire Common was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1951. It is an area of heath land of approximately 152 acres (62 hectares) lying 6 kms south west of Bodmin in the headwaters of a tributary of the River Camel. The lowland heath on the eastern side is of an uncommon type, being intermediate between those on granite and those on the north coast of Cornwall.
The site supports a rich flora including several rarities such as the Cornish Eyebright (Euphrasia vigursii) which is confined to mixed heath in Cornwall and Devon, where it is known in about twenty localities.
Other notable species include wavy St John's wort (Hypericum undulatum), Yellow Centaury (Cicondia filiformis), Paler Dog Violet (Viola lactea), White Beak-sedge (Rhynchospora alba), Coral necklace (Illecebrum verticillatum), Early Marsh-orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata ssp pulchella) and Common Sundew (Drosera rotundifolia).
The site also supports several rare lower plant species of mosses and liverworts.The site is home to a host of species of mammals, birds and insects, including deer, voles, skylarks, tawny and barn owls, buzzards, pheasants, jays and the summer visiting cuckoo.
