Wildlife

Wildlife on Dartmoor

What you might see

Buzzard — year-round, soaring above valleys
Skylark — spring and summer, open moorland
Dartmoor Pony — year-round on the open moor
Raven — cliff edges and open ground
Adder — warm, rocky ground in summer
Wildflowers — heather in August, gorse in spring

Best time to visit

springSkylarks singing from March. Wildflowers emerging. Good general visibility before bracken grows.

summerPonies most visible with foals. Adders basking. Heather peaks in August.

autumnQuieter on the moor. Buzzards and ravens active. Best light for photography.

winterShort-eared owls possible. Clear views across open ground. Raptors hunting in daylight.

Wildlife to look out for

Species highlights

Buzzard

Bird· Year-round, soaring above valleys

Skylark

Bird· Spring–summer, open moorland

Dartmoor Pony

Mammal· Year-round on the open plateau

Raven

Bird· Pairs over high ground and tors

Adder

Mammal· Rocky, sunny ground in summer

Heather

Plant· August bloom across open heath

Gorse

Plant· Flowering through spring and beyond

Merlin

Bird· Fast and low over open heath

On the ground

Good areas for wildlife

Haytor

Open tor with wide views. Good for buzzards, skylarks, and moorland plants.

Dartmeet

River confluence in a steep valley. Dippers, grey wagtails, and occasional otters.

Postbridge

Open moorland. Excellent skylark habitat. Ponies often visible in this area.

Meldon Reservoir

Water and open land combined. Varied bird life, including visiting raptors.

Wistman's Wood

Ancient upland oak woodland. Ravens nest nearby. Rich in lichens and mosses.

East Dart Valley

Quiet river valley. Good for wildflowers and birds of the moorland fringe.

Plan your visit

Wildlife through the year

Spring

Skylark
Singing from March above open grass and bracken fringe.
Gorse in flower
Bright yellow across the moor — coconut-scented on warm days.
Breeding waders
Dunlin and golden plover on the higher bogs from April.

Summer

Dartmoor Pony foals
Born May–July. Keep distance. Do not feed.
Heather
Deep purple bloom covers the open moor through August.
Adder
Basking on warm rocky outcrops in morning sun.

Autumn

Raven
More vocal in September–October. Often seen in pairs.
Fungi
Along woodland edges and wet flushes from October.
Bracken colour
Turns amber and rust — the moor at its most photogenic.

Winter

Short-eared Owl
Occasional winter visitor, hunting low over open ground in daylight.
Hen Harrier
Rare but recorded wintering on Dartmoor. Low-quartering flight.
Clear views
Less vegetation means better visibility for spotting raptors at distance.

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