nature + wildlife in the Peak District
As a walker I not only love the beautiful scenic views in the Peak District but I have a passion for nature and wildlife. It’s wonderful walking in the different seasons and seeing the nature change around me, from the purple heather that comes to life in August to the Mountain Hares, changing colour during the winter months.
Here I will be sharing my photos of nature and wildlife from my walks – I’ll add the walks or location for each photo and will also include other known places that you might see them too.
I’ll be adding to this page during my walks but feel free to get in touch if you have a question and I’ll try to help.
plants + flowers
Common Spotted Orchid
Photo from the Monsal Trail near Litton Tunnel – the orchids flower mostly during June and July
Bell Heather
Taken on Baslow Edge but Bell Heather is widely found across the Peak District, especially Derwent Edge. It begins to come out in July but for a purple explosion August is the best time to see it.
Cottongrass
Blowing in the breeze on Kinder Plateau, you’ll see on moorlands and also damp areas!
Gorse
Walking towards Chrome Hill, this spiky plant is pretty but you don’t want to fall in it! The flowers have a lovely coconut scent too.
Foxglove
Saw these along the River Derwent but you’ll see in lots of places. Important note – they are poisonous!
Harebell
Mistaken for a bluebell but this purple flower appears later in the summer months. Spotted loads on my Wolfscote Dale walk.
fungi + lichen
Pixie Cup Lichen
Look out for these on shaded rocks as you’re walking along, can be spotted on lots of walks, I saw these growing on a path from Elton.
Red Wax Cap Mushroom
Again mushrooms can be spotted in most shaded/wooded areas in the Peak District, but strangly this one was at the top of Lose Hill.
wildlife + birds
Grouse
Spotted on the moorlands above Dovestone Reservoir but you’ll spot (or hear) grouse in most moorland areas, for example, on the Kinder Plateau and Bleaklow.
Highland Cow
Near Baslow Edge, the cows are often found around this area.
Mountain Hare
Kinder Plateau – there are lots of wild Mountain Hares on the moorlands of Kinder Scout Plateau and Bleaklow
Red Deer
Longshaw Estate – there’s a herd of about 170 deer on the Longshaw Estate, as well as more deer in other parts of the Peak District, including The Roaches and Goyt Valley.
