Wildlife

Wildlife on Exmoor

What you might see

Red Deer — year-round, active at dawn and dusk
Buzzard — year-round, combes and farmland
Peregrine — sea cliffs and high ground
Exmoor Pony — open moorland
Otter — rivers and streams
Heather — August bloom on the high moor

Best time to visit

springBuzzards displaying and skylarks singing. Best time for coastal path birding.

summerActive deer, ponies, insects. Coastal paths busy but spectacular.

autumnRed deer rut in October — one of England's wildlife highlights. Stags roaring across valleys.

winterQuiet and dramatic. Deer more visible without leaf cover. Winter raptors possible.

Wildlife to look out for

Species highlights

Red Deer

Mammal· Britain's largest land mammal

Buzzard

Bird· Common in the combes and valleys

Peregrine

Bird· Coastal cliffs and high moorland

Exmoor Pony

Mammal· Hardy native breed of the high moor

Otter

Mammal· Rivers and stream banks — early morning

Dipper

Bird· Clean, fast-flowing streams

Heather

Plant· Colours the high moor in August

Raven

Bird· Pairs along coastal cliffs

On the ground

Good areas for wildlife

Doone Valley

One of Exmoor's most enclosed valleys. Red deer, buzzards, and dippers.

Horner Wood

Ancient oak woodland. Pied flycatchers in summer, resident woodland birds.

Dunkery Beacon

Highest point on Exmoor. Open views — good for raptors and deer on surrounding slopes.

Porlock Weir

Coast meets moor. Wading birds, herons, and saltmarsh species.

Haddon Hill

Excellent open moorland for Exmoor ponies and moorland birds.

Brendon Common

Remote and quiet. Deer visible year-round. Good for early morning walks.

Plan your visit

Wildlife through the year

Spring

Pied Flycatcher
Arrives in Horner Wood from April. Look for smart black-and-white males.
Red Deer calves
Born June. Hinds move to quieter areas — keep your distance.
Coastal birds
Spring passage brings interesting species along the Somerset coast.

Summer

Exmoor Pony
Foals visible on open moorland from May onwards.
Heather
Peaks August–September on the high moor above Dunkery.
Butterflies
Silver-washed fritillary in Horner Wood and other sheltered combes.

Autumn

Red Deer rut
October is peak — stags roar across valleys, especially around Dunkery.
Fungi
Rich fungi across Horner Wood and damp valley floors from October.
Fieldfares
Winter thrushes arrive from Scandinavia in October — large flocks on open ground.

Winter

Red Deer
Most visible in winter as vegetation drops back. Look along valley sides at dusk.
Merlin
Winter visitor to open moorland. Fast, purposeful low flight.
Goosander
Occasional winter visitor on the Exe and Barle rivers.

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