Moorland
A mosaic of heath, bog, grassland, scrub and gritstone adorn the Peak District moors.
Birds
Red Grouse
Lagopus lagopus
"Go-back, go-back" is the distinctive call of this reddish-brown game bird, which can be heard on the heather moorlands all year round. It inhabits the moorlands due to the lack of trees on the landscape and because of the wealth of heather shoots, seeds and flowers that it feeds on. During the breeding season, the grouse will also use the thick ground vegetation of the moorlands to hide its eggs, with the male acting as sentinel. You know that it is a Red Grouse you have spotted when it launches itself into the air from the midsts of the heather and hurriedly flies away.
Short-Eared Owl
Asio flammeus
Sharp yellow eyes survey the open and rugged countryside of the moors. Swooping a few feet from the ground the Short-Eared Owl plunges feet first into the vegetation as its prey scurries away to safety. This hunter can be seen by visitors to the moors both day and night, but will be seen more frequently during the winter months. Look on top of rocks and posts for the perched owl scanning the moors for its prey. The Short-Eared Owl also uses the moorlands for concealing its nest in the low vegetation.
Merlin
Falco columbarius
Being the UK's smallest bird of prey does not stop the Merlin from being one of the best hunters on the moorlands. Its small size means that it can hover over the moorlands to closely pursue its prey of small birds. Its compact falcon body also makes it a swift and speedy hunter. Stealth and a keen eye are required to see the Merlin as it is a silent hunter that will only use an alarm call should it be disturbed. The female will scrape out a shallow in the soil of the moors to build a safe nest for her chicks under the cover of long heather.
Golden Plover
Pluvialis apricaria
To catch a glimpse of the shimmering gold and charcoal black plumage of the Golden Plover you will need to visit the moorlands in the summer months, before they change to their winter plumage of serene beige and white. In the winter months the Golden Plover congregates in large flocks on the lowland fields, often accompanied by their family members the Lapwings (Charadriidae). Feeding on worms, beetles and berries, the Golden Plover makes the most of the dry and open ground of the moorlands to rear their young.
Curlew
Numenius arquata
Using its unusual long, slender, and downcurved bill, the Curlew will rummage and sift through mud or soft ground to find worms and other insects on the heather moorlands. The best time to see this bird on the moorlands is during their breeding season in the summer, before they head back to coastal regions for the winter. Listen as the male Curlew takes flight with his sustained singing. Unfortunately, due to diminishing areas of habitat, numbers of the UK's largest wading bird have been declining in recent times.
Plants
Heather
Calluna vulgaris
Known for the purple blanket of colour it brings to the moorlands between July and September, Heather is a common sight on acidic soils across the Peak District. Also referred to as 'ling', Heather is a short evergreen, shrubby plant with bright purple flowers. It is tolerant of grazing and regenerates following occasional burning. As well as providing shelter under its thick cover for wildlife, the seeds and shoots provide food for Willow and Red Grouse. Sheep and Deer will also use the tips of the Heather to graze on during winter months.
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
A short, shrubby, perennial bush, the Bilberry's head blossoms into pink bell-shaped flowers in spring. It has stems that can stand approximately 50cm high that are covered in bright green oval shaped leaves. A relative to the Blueberry, in autumn the pink flower of the Bilberry ripens into a bluish-black fruit producing single or paired berries instead of clusters, that birds on the moors can feed from. Moth larvae also use the oval shaped leaves to feed from. It mainly grows in poor, damp acidic soils.
© 2006 J R Crellin
Crowberry
Empetrum nigrum
Similar to the heather plant, Crowberry is an evergreen shrub that grows in carpets and low hummocks on acidic peatlands. Its distinctive pale purple flower appears in May, followed in summer by a bounty of dark purple to black juicy berries which contain large seeds. These berries are enjoyed by Wood Mice, Song Thrush, Grouse, Ptarmigan and other moorland birds. To spot Crowberry look out for the reddish stems and dark green needle-like leaves that cover the grounds of the moorlands.
Common Cotton Grass
Eriophorum angustifolium
The common cotton grass is very deceptive, for though it looks like a grass and is named as a grass it is actually part of the sedge family (flowering plants that resemble grass). They have long slender grass-like leaves, a common characteristic of the sedge family, but it is mostly recognisable by its seed heads of fluffy masses of cotton, which are designed to be dispersed by the wind. Stems of the Common Cotton Grass can reach 70cm tall and they thrive in acid peat bogs. Common Cotton Grass is of great importance in helping to protect the underlying peat from being eroded.
© NT/High Peak Estate
Sphagnum Moss
Sphagnum spp
Bogs are dependent on rainwater as their main source of food and nutrients, making them a favourable habitat for Sphagnum Moss due to the large amount of water and air it can absorb. It can be identified by its unique branch clusters and black capsules at the tips of the stalk. It is an important peat bog plant, as it increases soil acidity and absorbs the rainwater that the bogs rely on. It is thanks to this acidity in the soil that other plants such as Heather and Bilberry can grow on the moorlands.
Mammals
© NT/High Peak Estate
Mountain Hare
Lepus timidus
Smaller in length than the Brown Hare, with shorter ears and legs, the Mountain Hare inhabits the moorlands to graze on the plentiful Heather, Bilberry and Common Cotton Grass. They use depressions in the ground (known as a 'form') for shelter that are under heather and rock outcrops. As they prepare for winter, the Mountain Hare sheds its black/grey summer coat, replacing it with its distinctive white (or partially white) coat, but keeps its black tipped ears. If you catch sight of a Mountain Hare, you will rarely see more than one at a time as they are solitary creatures.
Water Vole
Cricetidae Arvicola terrestris
As a small, brown bodied, long-tailed and fat-faced creature scurries past you on the banks of the streams and canals of the moorlands you could mistake it for a gluttonous rat. In actual fact, you are faced with the rare sight of a Water Vole. They will dig out their burrows in the banks of a stream or canal, then line their nests with grass before heading off along the upland waterways in search of grasses, bark and roots to feast upon. They are excellent swimmers with thick water repellent fur and ears that close to keep the water out.
© NT/Nature Conservation
Common Shrew
Sorex araneus
A tiny and ferocious predator, the Common Shrew has rounded ears, small eyes and a mobile snout. It will rummage with its snout under the moorland vegetation and locate prey as deep as 12cm underground by sniffing and probing the soil. It will use the dense vegetation of the moorlands to build its nest and will devour the abundance of invertebrates, such as spiders, Woodlice and Snails, as it must eat 80 per cent of its own body weight in food daily to survive. The Common Shrew is hunted by owls, weasels and stoats.
Weasel
Mustela nivalis
Known for their ingenuity and cunning, Weasels use pre-defined hunting routes to track down their prey. As their prey scurries away to its burrow, Weasels, with a slender long body, are well adapted to follow their prey into the smallest of spaces. They will hunt for mice, voles, small birds and eggs on the moors. Similar in appearance to the Stoat, with a chestnut brown upper fur and white underpart, the Weasel lacks the black tip to its tail that the Stoat possesses. They will set up dens in burrows, rock crevices or dry stone walls. You can see the Weasel active both day and night.
Stoat
Mustela erminea
Energetic and curious, the Stoat is similar in appearance to the Weasel, but has a black tip to its tail and is mainly active during the night. They make their dens in burrows, rock crevices or dry stone walls. Stoats have an acute sense of smell and hearing, but poor sight. In winter, the brown chestnut fur will turn thicker and white (except for the black tipped tail) when it becomes known as an 'ermine'. Its prey consists of rats, mice, voles, shrew and birds, which it pursues extremely quickly over the ground of the moors.
Invertebrates
© 2008 Dave Green
Fox Moth
Lasiocampidae Macrothylacia rubi
You can see the rapid flight of the male Fox Moth across the moors between May and June, usually on a sunny afternoon, though the females are more elusive as they only fly at night. It has a wingspan of approximately 40-65 mm. The males are fox-coloured with narrow pale strips on its forewings, whereas females are predominately grey and paler. The caterpillar is covered with blackish and tawny-coloured hairs and feeds on Heather, Bilberry and Bramble and are often found exposed on open ground prior to hibernation in the autumn.
© NT/Gordon Barker
Emperor Moth
Imbrasia belina
Fluttering across the moorlands on sunny spring days, the majestic male Emperor Moth is often mistaken for the Small Tortoiseshell butterfly. As the male flies across the moors, the female rests amongst the vegetation. Its eggs are laid in May, with the larvae feeding on Heather, Bilberry and Hawthorn. The fully-grown caterpillar is green with black and red hoops providing excellent camouflage. Whilst the males have bright orange hindwings, females are larger with slightly different markings, a paler colouring and antennae that are not feathered.
Wildlife Trust: Emperor MothButterfly Conservation: Emperor Moth
Bilberry Bumblebee
Bombus monticola
The Bilberry Bumblebee is classed as a medium sized species. They have a very distinctive, mostly orange heart-shaped abdomen. They are found in upland moorland areas from early spring after they have come out of winter hibernation. They are most likely to be seen flying from Bilberry plant to Bilberry plant, their favoured source of nectar. They nest in small colonies just beneath the ground surface. The body length of the queen is 16mm, whilst the worker is 12mm. The Queens favour the moorland due to the abundance of Bilberry.
Small Heath Butterfly
Coenonympha pamphilus
Seen on the moors between May and September, the Small Heath Butterfly, which loosely resembles the small Meadow Brown Butterfly, is just 33-40mm wide. It flies only in sunny conditions, usually around one metre above the ground. When it rests it does so with its wings closed, revealing the eyespot on the underside of its wings angled at 90 degrees to the sun. The butterfly lays eggs in May. Over the winter months the butterfly stays in a larval stage. Over the past few years, the Small Heath Butterfly has been in serious decline in the Peak District.
Click Beetle
Athous haemorrhoidalis
Chewing on grasses and flowers across the moorland, the Click Beetle, with its bullet-shaped body, can be seen flying across the moors from May to July. With a long brown body and black head, the beetle is known for making a click noise if it is under attack or overturned. This audible click is sounded as it flicks itself into the air, it can jump as high as 30cm. The larvae of the Click Beetle are slender, shiny and hard shelled, feeding off roots underground. The larvae may remain in the soil feeding for two to three years, eventually surfacing as an adult.
Find out more: Moorland Association | Moors for the Future | UK Biodiversity Action Plan
Limestone
Thin chalky soils coat the limestone grasslands, making them ideal for lime-loving grasses and wildflowers.
Birds
Skylark
Aluda arvensis
You will be lucky to catch a glimpse of the Skylark in the Peak District, not only because of their declining numbers in the UK, but also because of its well camouflaged brown plumage. On the rear end of its wing and tail the Skylark reveals small areas of white as it takes flight. The Skylark is most distinguishable by its male song call, which has become a symbol of day break. It uses the ground to build its grass nest amongst the vegetation and to rummage for seeds and insects.
Meadow Pipit
Anthus Trivialis
For impressive air displays, look out for the Meadow Pipit which will give an exhilarating 'parachute' display in the air during the breeding season, flashing his white outer tail feathers. Often mistaken for a Song Thrush, the Meadow Pipit can be identified by its olive-brown upper parts with dark streaks and dull pink legs. It can be seen all-year-round in the Peak District mostly on the ground rummaging for insects or in their nests of dry grass, lined with hair hidden amongst the vegetation. Listen for its distinctive short and repetitive song, which it will call out during flight.
Linnet
Carduelis Cannabina
Search high and low for the Linnet and its melodious song, which will be seen either on the ground searching for seeds or perched amongst bushes and hedgerows in the safety of their nests. During the summer months whilst the female keeps her white underparts and beige streaked breast, the males will have a scarlet red head patch and breast. The Linnet can be seen in the Peak District all year round, though a sight of one is very rare due to their declining numbers. Its English name derives from its liking for the seeds of flax, from which Linen is made.
Song Thrush
Turdus philomelos
Perched on a fence or bush with its head on one side, scouring the ground for food and rummaging through leaf-litter in search of snails, the Song Thrush is an entertaining bird when it comes to eating. When he finds his prey he will use a stone as an "anvil" and with a flick of the head will smash open the shell of a snail to reveal its meat. Resident in both woodland and rocky outcrops, a walk through the grasslands will be a delight when you hear the repeated musical phrases of their distinctive song. Trees and bushes are used to build their neat, mud-lined cup nests.
Grey Partridge
Perdix perdix
A rotund game bird, famed for its pear tree antics, the Grey Partridge is recognisable by its orange face, short red-brown tail and grey plumage on either side of the body. A ground bird that feeds on leaves, seeds and insects, the partridge patrols the ground in pairs or flocks. You will only see the Grey Partridge take a short flight if disturbed and will call a distinctive game bird shriek as it rises. Due to loss of breeding habitat and food, the number of Grey Partridges is greatly decreasing.
Plants
Wild Thyme
Thymus polytrichus
Forming an aromatic pink carpet over the limestone grasslands of the Peak District, visitors can enjoy the delights of Wild Thyme best between June and August when it flowers. It is a creeping perennial found across dry grassland and heaths. Its leaves are oval and flat lying in opposite pairs on its square stem. It requires a sunny position on the grasslands to thrive. The plants support a wide variety of insects and the flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Wild Marjoram
Origanum vulgare
In July and August the dry, grassy sides of the dales, with their underlying chalk layer burst into a carpet of rose-purple flowers. On a hot summers day the heat will carry the distinctive scent of Wild Marjoram across the grasslands of the Peak District. Wild Marjoram is a tall upright plant reaching 30-80cm high, with ovate leaves and small clusters of flowers. The plant thrives on lime-rich soils and is visited by bees, butterflies and other insects that inhabit the grasslands.
Rock-Rose
Helianthemum chamaecistus
A sunny yellow splendour covers the grasslands in the summer months as the beautiful shrub of the Rock Rose blossoms. It produces flowers profusely throughout the summer, as they are sun flowers needing plenty of sunlight to flourish. It is an evergreen plant, which enables it to survive during the winter months. Due to the dry, base-rich soil of limestone grassland that the Rock Rose favours, it is commonly seen on this landscape. It attracts invertebrates such as bees, beetles, butterflies and moths.
Lady's Bedstraw
Galium verum
Lady's Bedstraw has fine leaves and attractive yellow, honey-scented flowers comprising of four petals. It flowers in July and August and the seeds ripen from August to September. They root where they touch ground and their stems grow up to 120cm. It is a trailing and sprawling branched perennial. Its leaves are shiny dark green above and hairy underneath. It flourishes in dry and grassy areas such as the limestone grasslands of the Peak District.
Small Scabious
Scabiosa columbria
A robust flowering plant, the Small Scabious thrives on the dry soils of the limestone grassland. It blossoms from July to September with a mass of lilac-blue flowers protruding from its long stalk covered in oval leaves. It is a limestone grassland perennial that attracts grassland invertebrates such as bees and butterflies. After the flowers have finished blooming, it will turn into a cone shaped head fruit throughout autumn.
Mammals
© NT/Nature Conservation
Dormouse
Muscardinus avellanarius
Spending three quarters of its life asleep, it is rare to see this small sandy brown creature in the wild. Hibernating to conserve energy from October to April, they feed on seeds, flowers and fruits, with nuts and acorns being the most important for hibernation. They weave their nests from honeysuckle, grass and moss to entirely cocoon themselves. They travel amongst the branches of trees, shrubs and hedgerows only coming to the ground in winter to hibernate. A recent project in the Manifold Valley has seen the re-introduction of the Dormouse to the area.
Water Vole
As a small, brown bodied, long-tailed and fat-faced creature scurries past you on the banks of the streams and rivers of the grasslands you could mistake it for a gluttonous rat. In actual fact, you are faced with the rare sight of a Water Vole. They will dig out their burrows in the banks of a stream or river, then line their nests with grass before heading off along the upland waterways in search of grasses, bark and roots to feast upon. They are excellent swimmers with thick water repellent fur and ears that close to keep the water out.
Stoat
Mustela erminea
Energetic and curious, the Stoat is similar in appearance to the Weasel, but has a black tip to its tail and is mainly active during the night. They make their dens in burrows, rock crevices or dry stone walls. Stoats have an acute sense of smell and hearing, but poor sight. In winter, the brown chestnut fur will turn thicker and white (except for the black tipped tail) when it becomes known as an 'ermine'. Its prey consists of rats, mice, voles, shrew and birds, which it pursues extremely quickly.
© NT/Nature Conservation
Pipistrelle Bat
Pipstrellus
Visit the grasslands before sunset and you maybe in with a chance to see the UK's smallest nocturnal bat wake early to feast on insects that swarm outside of its roost in summer. Hunting small moths, flies and gnats, it feasts on at least 3,000 insects in just one night. Twisting and diving in the sky, they are agile and speedy fliers, who often fly just above head height. Rusty brown in colour with dark wings, the Pipistrelle Bat often roosts in trees and buildings. Being the most common bat in the UK, you are always in with a good chance of seeing them in the night sky.
Badger
Meles meles
The soft, light soil of the limestone grassland is perfect for this cumbersome mammal to dig its burrow in, which is known as a set. They live in family groups in these expansive sets and patrol a large territory marking it with their odour. Their striking black and white faces are unmistakable, making them easy to spot in the wilds of the Peak District. Emerging at dusk to feed on earthworms, frogs, rodents, seeds and berries, the Badger can also be seen playing with its kin, which helps it to build stronger social ties.
Invertebrates
© 2007 David Gerke
White Clawed Crayfish
Austropotamobius pallipes
With pale claws and an olive-brown back, the rare White Clawed Crayfish is the only native species of freshwater crayfish found in the British Isles. Feeding only at night, this nocturnal invertebrate spends its time sheltered under rocks and tree roots lying along the banks of the limestone stream or river that the crayfish chooses as its home. Threatened by crayfish plague, a fungal disease carried by the American Signal Crayfish, numbers of our native species have seriously declined. Projects in the South Peak are working to help the species in the Peak District.
© NT/Nature Conservation
Northern Brown Argus Butterfly
Piebeius agestis
As it flies low over the sheltered flowery grasslands, the Northern Brown Argus Butterfly appears to be silver in colour, but when it lands on the petals of the Common Rock-Rose it is clear to see that it is in fact brown in colour with orange spots adorning its wings. The Common Rock-Rose that thrives on the grasslands, provides the main food source for the butterfly, which lives in small and scattered colonies. Whilst a glimpse of this butterfly would delight any visitor to the Peak District, it has become a rare sight due to a decline in numbers in recent years.
© Roger Holme
Chalk Carpet Moth
Cotopteryx bipunctaria
Pale grey in colour with two distinctive small black spots on each of its forewings, the adult Chalk Carpet Moth is of a medium size and favours chalky soil, hence its name. It prefers exposed rocks and grazed patches of scrub in the limestone grasslands to bask and roost in. The adult moth can be seen during the day, though flies at night, and is best seen between July and August, when it emerges from its over-winter larvae state. The caterpillar is yellowish-grey in colour with dark lines along both the back and sides, and will feed at night on a large variety of plants.
© NT/Nature Conservation
Dark Green Fritillary Butterfly
Argynnis aglaja
Seen in meadows and on flowery banks, the Dark Green Fritillary, despite its name, is tangerine-orange in colour with a mosaic of black spots embellished on its wings. One of the more widely seen fritillaries in the Peak District, it is still a rare butterfly to spot. The prime time to see them is during the months of June and July, when it rapidly flies over the open and sunny terrain of the grasslands. They feed on Thistle, Hairy Violet and Marsh Violet. A single generation will appear in a year and it will spend the winter months as a caterpillar.
Butterfly Conservation: Dark Green FritillaryWikipedia: Dark Green Fritillary
Dingy Skipper Butterfly
Erynnis tages
Basking in the sunshine on the open grounds of the grasslands, the small Dingy Skipper Butterfly relaxes with its wings spread wide open. Decorated with two rows of small white spots upon its grey-brown wings, the butterfly is well camouflaged on the grassland scenery. Unlike any other British species of butterfly, it will display moth like behaviour by nestling on dead flower heads at night and during cloudy days. Whilst they prefer open and bare patches of ground to relax in, they will use the tall and covered vegetation found on the grasslands for shelter and roosting.
Wildlife Trust: Dingy SkipperButterfly Conservation: Dingy Skipper
Find out more: Limestone Dales Biodiversity Action Plan | UK Biodiversity Action Plan
Oak Woodland
Leafy canopies, birds' song and colourful wildflowers festoon ancient oak woodlands
Birds
Pied Flycatcher
Muscicapa hypoleca
For the best time to spot this black and white bird take a walk in the woodlands from April to September. The Pied Flycatcher, slightly smaller than a house sparrow, perches below the canopy before dropping down to the ground to feed on caterpillars amongst the oak foliage. It also flies through the air using its bill to catch insects in mid-flight. They make their open nests in the oak tree holes. Its loud rhythmic and melodious song is characteristic of oak woods in spring.
Redstart
Phoenicurus phoenicurus
Like the Pied Flycatcher, the Redstart catches insects during flight. They have a distinctive bright orange-red tail, which is where their name derives from the Old English "stert" meaning animal tail. They breed in oak woodlands where it may compete with the Pied Flycatcher for nesting sites in tree holes. Between April and September the Redstart resides in the Peak District oak woodlands and a walk through the woodlands at this time will be the perfect time for you to catch a glimpse of the quivering red of its tail.
© 2006 Dave Hutton
Wood Warbler
Phylloscopus sibilatrix
Below the closed shady canopies of the oak woodlands, perched on a tree with a soft piping song billowing across the summer sky is the Wood Warbler. It uses the sparse ground cover of the woods to build its nest near low shrub. For a chance to see the distinctive lime-green bodied and yellow breasted Wood Warbler, take a serene walk through the woods between April and August. The treetops of the woods make the perfect hunting ground for the Warbler to hunt for insects.
Nuthatch
Sitta europea
Descending head first down tree trunks and back up again collecting insects from the bark the Nuthatch spends most of its time in the trees of the woodlands. They are the only species of Nuthatch in the UK. With their long black pointed bill they break into nuts wedged in the tress and plaster tree holes with mud should they be too big for their nest to be safe in. A plump blue and chestnut coloured bird it rarely travels far from the wood where it hatched. The Nuthatch can be seen all year round in the treetops of the woodlands.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocus major
Listen out for the well-known drumming noise of the woodpecker as it clings to the tree, its beak tapping against the bark searching for insects, before using the tip of its sticky tongue to extract insects from crevices. Whilst you may hear the woodpecker in the spring, you are unlikely to see it as it bounces from tree trunks and branches trying to hide away from observer. A black and white plumage with a distinctive red under the tail, the Great Spotted Woodpecker male also has a black crown with a crimson nape.
RSPB: Great Spotted WoodpeckerWildfacts: Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plants
Wood Sorrel
Oxalis acetosalla
Flourishing in the shaded, moist areas of the woodlands, the flowering herb Wood Sorrel is often found creeping along the woods floor. To see its flower blossom into white petals with a delicate purple tinge, visit the woodlands between April and May. Overnight and during inclement weather the flower droops to protect the pollen and its shamrock-like leaves will also fold down. The leaves will remain on its slender stalk over winter. It is common to see the creeping perennial under the oak tree which it has a penchant for.
Bluebell
Hyacinthoides nonscripta
Bringing a wave of lavender-blue colour to the lush greens of the woodlands between April and May, the native Bluebell is one of the most stunning sights that the oak woodlands have to offer. Identifiable by its drooping willowy stem with lightly scented bell shaped flowers hanging to one side. The elegantly drooped flowers provide food for bees and wasps. The Bluebell thrives on well-drained, but moist soils and with the right conditions will cover large areas of the woodland floor. Our native Bluebell is under threat from hybridisation from other species of Bluebell.
© 2008 J R Crellin
Hard Fern
Blechnum spicant
Found in the shaded moist soils of the woodland, the Hard Fern is one of the few plants which retain its rich lime-green colour throughout winter. Unlike other ferns which have soft foliage, this hardy fern has strong, tough leathery leaves hence its name. Their leaves are ladder-shaped, with long flat fronds and short erect fronds. It is these leaves that make them so remarkable, as one the longer is sterile whilst the shorter is fertile. It will remain in leaf all year, with brown older leaves falling off around the base of the plant. Seeds of the Hard Fern ripen from June to August
Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
A sweet light fragrance drifts through the woodlands between May and June as the flowers of the Wild Honeysuckle come to bloom. In appearance, the sweet scented Honeysuckle has creamy white trumpet shaped petals that will fade to yellow before turning into bright red berries. The flowers attract bumble-bees, butterflies and moths that drink the nectar, whilst the red berries are eaten by Bullfinches, Warbers and Thrushes. A vigorous climber, the first sight of the Honeysuckle can be as early as December as its oval shaped leaves climb through thickets, hedges and up trees.
© 2008 J R Crellin
Wood Sage
Teucrium scorodonia
Wrinkled and heart-shaped leaves, similar to that of the herb Sage, give this perennial plant its name. It is in actual fact a member of the mint family. It has a spike-like stalk that can grow to a height of 50cm. Yellow-green flowers bloom from July to September along either side of its stalk. Growing in full sun or light shade on acid soils, the oak woodlands provide the perfect conditions for the Wood Sage to do well. The seeds of the Wood Sage provide a rich source of food for the birds that inhabit the woodlands, whilst the flowers attract bees and Flea Beetles.
Mammals
© NT/Nature Conservation
Pipistrelle Bat
Pipistrellus
Visit the woodlands before sunset and you maybe in with a chance to see the UK's smallest nocturnal bat wake early to feast on insects that swarm outside of its roost in summer. Hunting small moths, flies and gnats, it feasts on at least 3,000 insects in just one night. Twisting and diving in the sky, they are agile and speedy fliers, who often fly just above head height. Rusty brown in colour with dark wings, the Pipistrelle Bat often roosts in the safety of the trees. Being the most common bat in the UK, you are always in with a good chance of seeing them in the night sky.
Badger
Meles meles
The soft soil of the oak woodlands is perfect for this cumbersome mammal to dig its burrow in, which is known as a set. They live in family groups in these expansive sets and patrol a large territory, marking it with their odour. Their striking black and white faces are unmistakable, making them easy to spot in the wilds of the Peak District. Emerging at dusk to feed on earthworms, frogs, rodents, seeds and berries, the Badger can also be seen playing with its kin, which helps it to build stronger social ties.
Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Snuffling and grunting through the undergrowth in search of worms, slugs and snails the Hedgehog with its short legs and plump body is a creature of the night. Nesting amongst fallen leaves, moss and grass during the summer months, the hedgehog will spend autumn and winter hibernating under hedgerows. It has distinctive yellow-tipped spines covering its back the rest of the body is covered in brown fur. When a predator approaches, the Hedgehog will curl itself up into a ball protecting its soft underside and showing only its prickly exterior. Hedgehogs are very good swimmers and climbers.
© Lubomir Hlasek
Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Large ears and protruding eyes emerge from the floor of the woodlands in the dark of the night, collecting fruits, seeds, insects and fungi. An agile climber the Wood Mouse uses both the trees and ground of the woodlands to forage for food. The Wood Mouse builds its nest of moss, leaves and grass on the ground in extensive burrow systems, though occasionally they can be found nested in the holes of trees. Whilst they breed quickly and copiously, their numbers are kept in equilibrium by the vast number of predators such as foxes, hedgehogs, owls and weasels that use them as a food source.
Grey Squirrel
Scivrus carolinensis
Coming to our shores in the late 19th-century, the Grey Squirrel is best known for its bushy grey tail that arches over its back and for the downfall of our native Red Squirrel. They have thrived in our woodlands due to the plentiful resources of acorns that it can consume, which its red counterpart cannot. It also feeds on flowers, fruits and roots, burying any surplus food in the ground or in tree hollows. They are more likely to be seen in the autumn when they are collecting their food stores and are often seen on the ground, though will climb to the safety of a tree if disturbed.
Invertebrates
© NT/High Peak Estate
Northern Hairy Wood Ant
Formica lugubris
A scavenger of the woodlands, the Hairy Wood Ant will eat anything soft-bodied that falls in its path. It builds mound-shaped nests of dead leaves, pine leaves and twigs that can be occupied by up to half a million worker ants. The nest is built with a southerly view so that they can use the suns rays to keep the nest warm, they also block all entrances at night to stop heat from escaping. Look out for nests dotted across the floor of Padley Gorge, but don't get too close as the Hairy Wood Ant produces a defensive spray that can blister the skin.
Speckled Wood Butterfly
Pararge aegeria
Often seen spiralling into the air, duelling with other male butterflies the Speckled Wood Butterfly is highly territorial and will scrutinise any other insect that enters its neighbourhood. They favour the damp areas of tall grass, dappled shade of the woodlands and like other butterflies, bask in the sunshine. They feed from aphid honeydew in the treetops whilst their caterpillars feed on various grasses. Their wings are emblazoned with yellow and dark brown eye spots on the upper wing and the lower wings have a row of dark brown eye spots.
Find out more: Forestry Commission | UK Biodiversity Action Plan | Woodland Trust
Ash Woodland
Strewn over steep-sided limestone dales the ash woods support a myriad of wildlife and wildflowers
Birds
© NT/Nature Conservation
Garden Warbler
Sylivia borin
A shy and elusive bird, spending most of its time under the cover of trees and bushes, the Garden Warbler can often be difficult to spot. Both sexes are small brown birds without any streaks or significant markings, which means they lack any obvious distinctive features. Using the ground cover for nesting, they build their nests in low shrubs or brambles. For a chance to hear the mellow melodious song of this bird, you will need to visit in between late Apri and July, before it migrates to the coast.
Willow Warbler
Phylloscopus trochilus
With a green back and yellow chest and throat, the Willow Warbler has the distinctive colours that the Garden Warbler lacks. Using the low vegetation of the woods floor it builds its nest. It normally eats a wide variety of insects, but will eat fruit and berries during the autumn. You can tell the slight difference between the warbler and Chiffchaff by its paler legs, bill and more elegant shape. To hear the whistle-like song of the Willow Warbler, visit the woods between April and September.
Bullfinch
Pyrrhula pyrrhula
Shy and secretive the Bullfinch will avoid the ground and spend the majority of its time amongst the dense undergrowth of the woodlands. They are sociable birds living in pairs and in family groups. The female builds a twiggy cup-shaped nest of twigs and moss in a bush or hedge. The male's red breast and cheeks are unmistakable and will instantly help you to identify this bird amongst the branches. Listen out for its mournful call which can be heard all year round in the Peak District ash woodlands.
Nuthatch
Sitta europea
Descending head first down tree trunks and back up again collecting insects from the bark, the Nuthatch spends most of its time in the trees of the woodlands. They are the only species of Nuthatch in the UK. With their long black pointed bill they break into nuts wedged in the tress and plaster tree holes with mud should they be too big for their nest to be safe in. A plump blue and chestnut colored bird it rarely travels far from the wood where it hatched. The Nuthatch can be seen all year round in the treetops of the woodlands.
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Dendrocus major
Listen out for the well-known drumming noise of the woodpecker as it clings to the tree, its beak tapping against the bark searching for insects, before using the tip of its sticky tongue to extract insects from crevices. Whilst you may hear the woodpecker in the spring, you are unlikely to see it as it bounces from tree trunks and branches trying to hide away from observer. A black and white plumage with a distinctive red under the tail, the Great Spotted Woodpecker male also has a black crown with a crimson nape.
RSPB: Great Spotted WoodpeckerWildfacts: Great Spotted Woodpecker
Plants
© 2004 J R Crellin
Yellow Archangel
Lamiastrum galeobdolon
A member of the dead-nettle and mint family, the Yellow Archangel thrives in the shady coppice of the ash woodland. Its flower blossoms between May and July and consist of yellow petals that are captivatingly streaked with red, whilst its leaves are similar to that of stinging nettles, pointed with a serrated edge. It is a native plant that grows on moist damp soil that other colourful flowers such as the Bluebell and Red Campion thrive on. It attracts solitary bees who use the Yellow Archangel for its tasteful nectar.
Wildlife Trust: Yellow ArchangelNatural England: Yellow Archangel
© 2005 Rimantas Pankevicius
Giant Bellflower
Campanula latifola
A striking and large plant, the Giant Bellflower is full of colour and adds vibrancy to the ash woodlands from July to September. Native to Northern England, the plant can grow up to 150cm tall due to the ideal damp and shady parts of the environment it grows in. The name is derived from the bell-shaped flowers that it produces, which varies in colour from dark-violet to white tinged with a pale blue, which have a peculiar habit of pointing upwards. The Bellflower has a sturdy and furry stem with oval shaped leaves that taper towards their tips.
Natural England: Giant BellflowerWikipedia: Giant Bellflower
© 2004 J R Crellin
Herb Paris
Paris quadrifolia
The damp and shady woodlands of the Peak District provide the ideal conditions for Herb Paris to grow in. It protrudes from the ground as a single stem, which can reach as high as 40cm. From this stem hangs a series of four leaves, with a large single green flower positioned on top which is made up of narrow thread-like petals. Inside the petals there is a large purple ovary with yellow stamens, adding a touch of colour to the otherwise monotone plant. Each plant will produce a blueberry like fruit which should be avoided as it is poisonous.
© 2004 J R Crellin
Lily of the Valley
Convallaria majalis
Elegant white bell-shaped flowers adorn the stem of this plant in late spring and hang in sprays similar in appearance to the Bluebell. The flower possesses a strong fragrance that attracts a wide range of insects that help the plant pollinate. Glossy oval shaped leaves shroud the base of the stem and are almost as tall as the stem itself. It produces a small orange poisonous berry that contains large white seeds that dry to a clear translucent round bead. It has become a characteristic of northern ashwoods due to the nutrient-poor soils that it flourishes in.
Wikipedia: Lily of the ValleyNatural England: Lily of the Valley
Mammals
© NT/Nature Conservation
Pipistrelle Bat
Pipistrellus
Visit the woodlands before sunset and you maybe in with a chance to see the UK's smallest nocturnal bat wake early to feast on insects that swarm outside of its roost in summer. Hunting small moths, flies and gnats, it feasts on at least 3,000 insects in just one night. Twisting and diving in the sky, they are agile and speedy fliers, who often fly just above head height. Rusty brown in colour with dark wings, the Pipistrelle Bat often roosts in the safety of the trees. Being the most common bat in the UK, you are always in with a good chance of seeing them in the night sky.
Badger
Meles meles
The soft soil of the ash woodlands is perfect for this cumbersome mammal to dig its burrow in, which is known as a set. They live in family groups in these expansive sets and patrol a large territory marking it with their odour. Their striking black and white faces are unmistakable, making them easy to spot in the wilds of the Peak District. Emerging at dusk to feed on earthworms, frogs, rodents, seeds and berries, the Badger can also be seen playing with its kin, which helps it to build stronger social ties.
Hedgehog
Erinaceus europaeus
Snuffling and grunting through the undergrowth in search of worms, slugs and snails the Hedgehog with its short legs and plump body is a creature of the night. Nesting amongst fallen leaves, moss and grass during the summer months, the hedgehog will spend autumn and winter hibernating under hedgerows. It has distinctive yellow-tipped spines covering its back the rest of the body is covered in brown fur. If a predator approaches the Hedgehog will curl itself up into a ball protecting its soft underside and only showing its prickly exterior. Hedgehogs are very good swimmers and climbers.
© Lubomir Hlasek
Wood Mouse
Apodemus sylvaticus
Large ears and protruding eyes emerge from the floor of the woodlands in the dark of the night, collecting fruits, seeds, insects and fungi. An agile climber the Wood Mouse uses both the trees and ground of the woodlands to forage for food. The Wood Mouse builds its nest of moss, leaves and grass on the ground in extensive burrow systems, though occasionally they can be found nested in the holes of trees. Whilst they breed quickly and copiously, their numbers are kept in equilibrium by the vast number of predators such as foxes, hedgehogs, owls and weasels that use them as a food source.
Grey Squirrel
Scivrus carolinensis
Coming to our shores in the late 19th-century, the Grey Squirrel is best known for its bushy grey tail that arches over its back and for the downfall of our native Red Squirrel. It has thrived in our woodlands due to the plentiful resources of acorns that it can consume, which its red counterpart cannot. It also feeds on flowers, fruits and roots, burying any surplus food in the ground or in tree hollows. They are more likely to be seen in the autumn when they are collecting their food stores and are often seen on the ground, though will climb to the safety of a tree if disturbed.
Invertebrates
©NT/Nature Conservation
White-letter Hairstreak Butterfly
Strymonidia w-album
Flying erratically amongst the treetops, feeding on honeydew, this small dark butterfly is a rare sight to behold in the woodlands of the Peak District. Dark brown wings marked with a distinct orange spot on the bottom of the wing, the undersides are pale with a thin white line resembling a 'hairstreak'. They will rest with their wings closed, unlike other basking butterflies. The White-letter Hairstreak breeds only on flowering elms, found in mature woodlands, which has been the cause of its decline after the spread of Dutch Elm Disease.
Butterfly Conservation: White-letter HairstreakWikipedia: White-letter Hairstreak
© David Green
Waved Carpet Moth
Hydrelia sylvata
Intricate, wavy patterns adorn the grey wings of the Waved Carpet Moth. They are to be found in damp woodlands, like the ash woodlands of the Peak District, from June to July. By day they remain motionless perched on bushes and tree trunks, with flat spanned out wings. The larvae feed on the young leaves of alder, birch and sallow found in abundance amongst the woodlands. The pupa cocoons in the soil or amongst leaf litter during winter, before emerging in June as an adult. A nocturnal moth, the adult will only take flight in the dark of the night.
© Peter Bolson
Barred Carpet Moth
Perizoma taeniata
A scarce and local species of moth, little is known about the Barred Carpet Moth. They are known to frequent damp woodlands in the Peak District, but their distribution is scattered. It emerges as an adult and takes flight from June to September. The larvae feed on bedstraw and mosses, though it has never been recorded to do so in the wild. The adults show little attraction to light and are best searched for during the day in hedgerows. It has pale whitish hind wings with a small rounded spot.
© NT/Peter Brash
Ash Black Slug
Limax cinereoniger
Found under logs and stones, the largest black slug in the world can be found in the ash woodlands of the Peak District. Ash black in colour like their name suggests, the slug also has a pale stripe extending down their back. They can grow up to 30cm long - longer than any other slug so are easy to spot. Look under mushrooms growing on the woodland floors, where they can usually can be found resting underneath. Feeding on fungi and plants, they are active at night and are restricted to mature woodlands.
Find out more: Ravine Woodlife | UK Biodiversity Action Plan
