The Wildlife of Dartmoor

Dartmoor is important for its diverse wildlife and rich habitats. Projects are ensuring that important conservation work and the sharing of good practice are undertaken to benefit Dartmoor’s wildlife.

Red backed shrike
Moorland Birds: their history and future

This project aims to protect and celebrate Dartmoor’s special moorland birds. Many of our British upland birds are under threat, facing population declines and loss of habitat.

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Haymeadows walk
Postbridge Haymeadows

This project aims to raise awareness and appreciation of the unique concentration of flower-rich haymeadows and pastures which remain in the areas around Postbridge and Dartmeet, through improvement in the management of existing meadows and involvement of the local community.

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Rhôs Pasture Main Pic
Natural Connections

Natural Connections aims to enhance natural networks within a number of wet valleys (known as Rhôs pasture) in the Moor than meets the eye area, and encourage better management of them. The wildlife found in these areas includes a number of nationally rare species, including one, the Bog Hoverfly, which is only found on Dartmoor. They require extensive, suitable and inter-connected habitats in order to survive.

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bat Vols at Night
Discovering the nature of the Bovey Valley

This project aims to protect and conserve key species, habitats and historic features of the Bovey Valley, part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. Together with other projects in the scheme it aims to foster deeper understanding and life-long interest in the area’s natural and cultural heritage, and engage local communities in all aspects of management.

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Related Articles

Champions of a miniature world

From a lichen’s perspective the Bovey Valley in East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve is an ideal home. In fact, Hisley Wood is a Site of Special Scientific Interest recognised for its assemblages of lichen, but having legal protection is only part of the story. To sustain these precious and rare species, more information is needed about the local lichen present in the woods. This is where the Lichen Lovers come in-to champion this miniature world. The Lichen Lovers are a group of enthusiastic and committed Devon naturalists who, between them, have a vast knowledge of hundreds of species of lichen and associated woodland wildlife. Their aim is to map their findings for Natural England and the Woodland Trust to develop habitat management plans.

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Develop your EcoSkills

Are you a graduate wanting to gain experience in wildlife conservation? Fancy joining Moor than meets the eye and our friendly team here at East Dartmoor for a whole year? Then this could be the opportunity for you..We're hosting a year-long structured training programme for 4 graduate volunteers who want to consolidate their skills and knowledge in applied conservation management. More information available here:https://www.gov.uk/…/conservation-assistant-candidate-pack-…

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Bat to the future

The Moor than meets the eye Barbastelle Bats project in the Bovey Valley Woods (part of East Dartmmor NNR) is still helping scientists understand more about bats to help with future conservation. Last year researchers from Bristol University led a bat radio tracking project to look at these rare creatures. This summer Dr. Orly Razgour, a research fellow from the University of Southampton has started to survey these East Dartmoor bats as part of her European-wide genetic research project on bat responses to global climate change. So far, Dr. Razgour has gathered information on barbastelles from Morocco to Sweden and, for a few nights in August, she brought her survey equipment to the Bovey Valley Woods. You can read the whole story on our blog eastdartmoorwoods.org

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Last update: 09 Aug 2022 2:56am