The Blackdown Hills support a wide range of semi-natural habitats. The pattern of these habitats is closely linked with the area's geology and topography. Many of them are of national importance.
Click link on the left for a guide to great sites for wildlife spotting.
Below is just a small selection of the special habitats and species found in the Blackdown Hills. For more detailed information about the area's ecology, contact us for a copy of Heathland in East Devon and the Blackdown Hills by Dr David Allen.
Grasslands, Heathland and Mire:
Barn owl, heath spotted orchid, marbled white butterfly, corky fruited water dropwort.
Hay meadows and other grasslands:
Green winged orchid, gatekeeper butterfly, birds foot trefoil.
Lowland heathland and wet heath:
Ling heather, lousewort, green hairstreak butterfly, nightjar.
Hedgerows:
Ash, hazel, dormouse, common lizards.
Wet woodlands:
Grey willow, king cup, siskin.
Ancient broad-leaved woodlands:
Pendunculate oak, stinking iris, purple hairsteak butterfly.
Rivers and streams:
Kingfisher, otter and Daubenton's bat
