The rugged landscapes of Dartmoor can sometimes feel like a deserted land, but that couldn’t be further from reality. Freed from human intervention, much of Dartmoor has become a heavenly home for other species, particularly birds.
As the largest upland area in Southern England, Dartmoor’s diverse environments and vast size have helped create a unique bird community, making it a wonderful destination for bird watchers to visit.
Whether you’re looking for places to stay in Chagford to plan your first Dartmoor birdwatching adventure, or you’re a regular to this wonderful part of the world, here are some of Dartmoor’s most famous birds for you to discover on your next visit.
Protecting Dartmoor’s Birds
One of the reasons Dartmoor has thriving bird communities is because of the efforts made to protect these special guests. Before getting excited about what birds you could see, it’s important that we all continue to protect these wonderful creatures.
One of the most important things to be aware of when visiting is the nesting season. From March to July every year, many birds nest on the open Dartmoor moorland. Disturbing these nests can have fatal consequences as birds will often abandon their young if they sense danger.
The Dartmoor Park Authority has a map of rare bird nesting places and urges everyone to avoid these areas during nesting season. They also urge people to stay vigilant across the moor during nesting season by sticking to walking paths and quickly leaving areas with young birds on the ground or distressed parents.
There are other general best practices you should follow year-round, particularly in relation to protecting birds:
- Keep Dogs On Leads: Curious dogs can disturb animals, including nesting birds.
- Leave No Trace: Take all your rubbish with you.
- Wild Camp Responsibly: Make sure you follow Dartmoor’s wild camping rules to help protect the land.
Dartmoor’s Most Popular Birds
Around 100 bird species have been spotted over the years by passionate bird watchers and groups such as Devon Birds, so there’s no shortage of species to find! That being said, here are some of the most popular that people come to Dartmoor hoping to see.
- Birds of Prey: Buzzards are commonly seen hovering across Dartmoor, while rarer species, such as goshawks and kestrels, can be found in more woodland areas.
- Lapwings: Lapwings are in decline in most of the country, but can be seen regularly around Dartmoor.
- Snipe: Known for the drumming sound of its wings and long beaks, Dartmoor has become an important breeding ground for declining snipes.
- Ring Ouzel: One of the last remaining populations of ring ouzels in Southern England can be found on Dartmoor, particularly around the rocky tors.
Dartmoor’s Birds By Region
Thanks to the array of bird species calling the moor home (at least for part of the year), any Dartmoor walk will be accompanied by some exhilarating sightings.
That being said, there is something joyous about exploring the different environments Dartmoor has to offer and seeing the birds that set up camp in these unique habitats.
Dartmoor’s Moorland Birds
With over 300 square miles of moorland, there is plenty of space for moorland birds to spread their wings.
Because much of Dartmoor is so open, it’s fantastic for spotting birds in action. Just pack a pair of binoculars and keep your senses sharp for these common Dartmoor moorland birds.
- Skylark: A bird in decline across much of lowland England, the skylark’s song is a regular feature of Dartmoor walks.
- Meadow Pipit: This small bird is common on Dartmoor; despite being targeted by many larger birds, pipits continue to thrive and deliver beautiful song.
- Cuckoo: These dove-sized, grey-coloured cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of meadow pipits – you can often see them being mobbed by smaller birds trying to chase them away!
Dartmoor’s Tor Birds
The rocky granite outcrops that Dartmoor is famous for not only make for incredibly dramatic photos, but also provide a unique and important habitat for various flora and fauna. Here are just some of the birds that rely on Dartmoor’s tors.
- Wheatear: Summer visitors from Africa, these small birds can often be seen bouncing around Dartmoor’s granite outcrops, which provide their nesting grounds.
- Raven: The iconic black birds are a common feature across Dartmoor’s rocky moorlands.
- Peregrine Falcon: These rare, super-fast predators breed and nest on cliffs and other high, rocky outlooks.
Dartmoor’s Woodland Birds
Dartmoor has an array of woodland areas, from ancient oak woods perched on valleys to more managed forestry plantations, all offering precious habitats to unique birds.
- Pied Flycatcher: Common visitors during the spring and summer, these small migratory birds perch on branches and are particularly common around Yarner Wood.
- Crossbill: Eye-catching red-brown birds with unique crossed beaks used for digging seeds from pinecones.
- Nightjar: These incredibly elusive birds are nocturnal, with detailed camouflage and silent flight. They are most active at dawn and dusk around forestry plantations and are renowned for their distinct call.
There are many more birds beyond the ones here that you can discover on Dartmoor. Many specific areas have guides available for commonly sighted birds, so keep your eyes peeled for things like visitor centres and guidebooks if you’re looking for the ultimate birdwatching adventure during your Dartmoor holiday.
