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Wildlife in Dartmoor

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Dartmoor National Park is the largest and highest upland in southern Britain, which hosts a considerable variety of habitats and is of international importance for its blanket bogs, upland heaths and upland oakwoods.

Discover the rich diversity of Dartmoor's wildlife including:

Blanket bogs on the high north moor where dunlin and golden plover nest.
Heathland ablaze with ling, bell heather and crossed leaved heath at Haytor.
Stunning haymeadows near Postbridge.
Small heath and fritillary butterflies on the moorland fringes near Belstone.
Traditional farmland girded with drystone walls and hedgerows rich with wild flowers around Widecombe in the Moor.
Ancient oak woodland at Dunsford, on the sheltered sides of a valley.
Carpets of bluebells in the spring near Kennick Reservoir.
Marsh Orchids in valley mires at Drizzlecombe.

Tread lightly on Dartmoor
remember to respect the wildlife and nature of Dartmoor. Read more information on the Countryside Code.

Action for Wildlife - the Dartmoor Biodiversity Project

The project carries out practical action, which benefits wildlife on the ground within the Dartmoor National Park, with particular emphasis on the catchment areas of the rivers Dart and Teign. Project staff work with Dartmoor residents to provide whatever support is needed to help them protect and enhance Dartmoor's wildlife. For further information click here.

Wealth of Wildlife Project
The Wealth of Wildlife Project was funded by Dartmoor National Park Authority and is designed to raise awareness and encourage the enjoyment of wildlife on Dartmoor by visitors. Many businesses including accommodation providers, attractions, activity centres, pubs and cafés, were visited by an ecologist who surveyed the grounds and produced a tailor-made folder of wildlife information for each establishment for their visitors to use. Look out for businesses on this website who took part in the project.

For more information click to download the following factsheets:

Bogs and Wetlands
Dartmoor Ponies
Wildlife and Habitats of Dartmoor
Ground Nesting Birds