With its rolling moorlands, wild coastlines, and ancient woodlands, Devon is one of the best places in the UK to experience nature at its most real and beautiful.
Whether you’re looking to spot deer on a misty morning, catch a glimpse of rare birds, or discover the rich marine life along the coast, Devon offers countless opportunities to connect with the wild and enjoy wildlife in Devon sightings!
Dartmoor National Park
A rugged landscape shaped by granite tors and sweeping moorland, Dartmoor is home to a wide range of wildlife. Spot wild Dartmoor ponies roaming freely, or look out for red deer, foxes, and stoats. Birdlife is abundant too, with skylarks, meadow pipits, and buzzards overhead. In the more wooded valleys, you might find otters and dippers along the rivers.
Berry Head National Nature Reserve
Perched high on the cliffs near Brixham, Berry Head is a fantastic spot for both land and sea wildlife. It’s a designated National Nature Reserve and home to a large guillemot colony, one of the south’s most important seabird nesting sites. Watch for peregrine falcons, buzzards, and even dolphins or porpoises just offshore.
Exmoor National Park
Exmoor National Park offers wild landscapes teeming with wildlife. Look out for the famous Exmoor ponies, red deer, and rare birds like merlins and hen harriers. Head to the coast and you may even spot seals basking on the rocks or dolphins offshore.
East Devon Pebblebed Heaths
This unique lowland heathland between Exeter and Sidmouth is an outstanding area of natural beauty and a biodiversity hotspot. With over 1,400 hectares of lowland heath featuring countless walks and trails, there’s plenty of opportunity to spot wildlife here.
The East Devon Pebblebed Heaths are particularly good for birds such as nightjars, Dartford warblers, and stonechats. Look out for butterflies in summer and dragonflies hovering over boggy pools. In the summer months, you might spot Dartmoor ponies and cattle grazing here.
Nearby you will also find:
Otter Estuary Nature Reserve
Located near Budleigh Salterton and also managed by Pebblebed Heaths Conservation Trust, the Otter Estuary is a tranquil reserve with reedbeds, mudflats, and saltmarshes. It’s an important stopover for migratory birds and a breeding site for species like reed warblers and sedge warblers. Look out for kingfishers darting along the riverbanks and, if you’re lucky, otters too.
Dawlish Warren Nature Reserve
This sandy spit near the mouth of the Exe Estuary is a vital stopover for migratory birds. Dawlish Warren is part of a Ramsar site and SPA (Special Protection Area) for its importance to wading birds and wildfowl. Expect to see oystercatchers, curlews, and brent geese, especially in winter.
Seaton Wetlands
Just inland from the Jurassic Coast, the Seaton Wetlands offer a peaceful haven for birds and birdwatchers alike. With reedbeds, salt marsh, and freshwater lagoons, this nature reserve is ideal for spotting kingfishers, herons, egrets, and wading birds. There are hides and boardwalks for easy access without disturbing the wildlife.
Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve
This large freshwater lake near Start Bay is separated from the sea by a narrow shingle bar, a beach known as Slapton Sands. The Slapton Ley reserve is a magnet for waterfowl, including tufted ducks and great crested grebes. The surrounding woodland and reedbeds are great for warblers, bats, and butterflies.
Wembury Marine Centre
Devon’s wildlife isn’t just found on land. The Wembury Marine Conservation Area, just outside Plymouth, is one of the best places for discovering marine life. At low tide, rock pools teem with crabs, anemones, and starfish. The centre runs guided rockpool safaris and beach activities for families during the summer.
Lundy Island
For a truly wild adventure, take a boat to Lundy, an island in the Bristol Channel. Managed by the Landmark Trust and a Marine Conservation Zone, it’s a haven for seabirds, including puffins (best seen in spring and early summer), guillemots, and razorbills. You might also spot seals in the water and even dolphins or basking sharks on the ferry ride over. Boats leave from Ilfracombe or Bideford (seasonal).
Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which straddles the border of Devon and Cornwall, offers a rich mix of habitats – from woodlands and wetlands to orchards and farmland. It’s a good area for spotting woodland birds, butterflies, and even otters and kingfishers along the River Tamar.
Tips for Wildlife Watching in Devon
- Bring binoculars for a closer look at birds and mammals from a distance.
- Be quiet and patient – early mornings and late evenings tend to be the best times for spotting animals.
- Stick to marked paths to protect habitats and avoid disturbing sensitive wildlife.
- Check seasonal highlights – different species appear at different times of year, from spring nesting birds to autumn deer rutting.
Devon’s rich landscape offers something for every wildlife enthusiast, whether you’re walking remote moorland, exploring a coastal path, or peering into a rockpool. With so many diverse habitats packed into one county, you’re never far from a special encounter with nature.
If you’d like to visit some of these locations, our hotel in Chagford makes the perfect base for exploring Devon. Situated within Dartmoor National Park, you’ll be well-positioned to see Devon’s wildlife right on your doorstep!