East Dartmoor Woods and Heaths

This National Nature Reserve consists of three adjacent sites: Yarner Wood, Trendlebere Down and the Bovey Valley Woodlands. The main habitats present are ancient woodland and heathland. The woodland is dominated by oak, though other species are present including alder and willow in the wetter areas.

Characteristic flowers of the woodland floor include cow-wheat, bilberry and, where the soils are wetter, royal fern. Lichens and mosses are abundant. Breeding birds are typical of western oakwoods, and include pied flycatcher and redstart. Dormice breed at the site and there is a rich invertebrate fauna, including the high brown fritillary butterfly.

Trendlebere Down provides a glorious expanse of heathland and valley mire habitat, typical of the Dartmoor fringe.

All year, best times to visit are Mid-April to mid-June for woodland birds, April to July for heathland bird, Mid-July to mid August for butterflies and September to November for woodland fungi.
Facilities - Bird Hides, Visitor Centre, Walks.