Wildlife to see in the Peak District
The UK is home to some amazing wildlife. With around 100 species of mammals and over 600 species of birds, there’s much to explore in the British countryside.
It’s for this reason that many people come to stay at sites like ours here at Secret Wood Glamping, based just outside the Peak District. As the UK’s first national park, it truly is a haven for flora and fauna, making it especially ideal for wildlife spotting.
The Peak District is split into two regions; the White Peak and the Dark Peak, which have varying landscapes and wildlife species. For visitors who want a short guide on what animals they could spot or photograph during their time in and around the Peak District, this blog should point you in the right direction.
Mammals
In the moorlands of the Dark Peak, you’re likely to come across mammals such as mountain hares, which are often populated at places like Derwent Edge (just a 30 minute drive away from the Secret Wood Glamping site).
In the White Peak, you’ll find plenty of different badger and fox species, as well as brown hares.
Other mammals include:
- Red deer
- Fallow deer
- Otters
- Bats
- Water voles
- Hedgehogs
- Highland cows
Birds
Red grouse are a famous feature of the Dark Peak moors, with many visiting in the hopes of capturing a striking photograph. However, the Peak District is also home to many other birds that can be just as extraordinary to see:
- Wheatears
- Merlins
- Barn owls
- Short-eared owls
- Pheasants
- Dippers
- Kestrels
- Ring ouzels
- Stonechats
- Hen harriers
A full list of birds near Secret Wood Glamping can be found via the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, and a useful guide on where you can spot these birds can be found here.
