Animal Life

The heathland provides the perfect habitat for a diverse range of insects and animals. During the summer more than 30 species of butterfly are recorded each year including the silver-washed fritillary, brimstone and the rare silver-studded blue - the male butterfly provides a marvellous sight as they fly low over the heathland.

Dragonflies are also common and 21 species live on the heaths including the southern damselfly, a rare species in Britain that is confined to just a few parts of the south west of England.

It also provides a breeding ground for many bird species including curlew, yellowhammer, buzzards and kestrels. The area is famed for its population of the rare Dartford warbler which is more commonly found much further south, but the dense gorse provides an excellent habitat which allows it to thrive. The nightjar is a rare summer visitor that nests on the ground. You will need to look hard to see it as it flies at dawn and dusk to make best use of the light in which to hunt moths.

Over 70 species of birds have been recorded here, and indeed the RSPB have for many years leased Aylesbeare Harpford Common from the Estate as a valuable location for monitoring their populations.