Walk on the wild side – Seven nature encounters not to be missed

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wild wonders to enjoy

Natural encounters can be around every corner in the Peak District, if you just know where to look... Tom Marshall tells you more.

1Bring your goggles From the gentle meanders of the White Peak dales to the tumbling wintry torrents of the upland Dark Peak, there’s one member of riverside royalty that’s easy to spot all year round. Around the size of a starling but dressed to impress with a smart white ‘shirt’ and glossy brown/black head and back, the dipper is constantly living up to its name.

Look out for them on streamside boulders or perched low to the water on riverside trees. Alongside their characteristic bobbing movement, they use an extra set of eyelids as ‘goggles’ to allow them to feed deep underwater. A flash of black and white speeding past torpedo-like over the river’s surface may well be a busy dipper travelling across its territory.

The mountain hare has a unique place in the Peak District.

2Hare today Although white rabbits are often a figure of fantasy or magic, you could be forgiven for thinking you’ve seen one in the Peak District uplands in winter. Rather larger but similar in appearance, the mountain hare has a unique place in the Peak District, its only other UK stronghold outside of the Scottish mountains. Sporting a well-camouflaged brown/grey coat in the summer, it’s during the snow-capped months that the sight of this hare of the high tops is the biggest treat.

3Top of the plops Still one of our fastest-declining mammals, remarkably the water vole is quite happy to make a home just a stone’s throw from many Peak District villages, including the bustle of Bakewell. You might see one hungrily munching on bankside vegetation, looking out across the water from an old drain or tunnel entrance, or hurriedly paddling along a canal or river’s edge just above the surface like a furry clockwork toy.

One of the clearest tell-tale signs of water voles, however, is hearing a distinctive ‘plop’ as they jump into the water. If you’re still unsure if it’s ‘Ratty’ the water vole (of Wind in the Willows fame), or the much maligned namesake, then barely visible ears and a furry tail mean it’s the real deal.

The magnificent sight of a red deer.

As you walk along the riverbank listen out for the ‘plop’ of a water vole jumping into the water.

4Stag do Wild deer can be found across the Peak District, but few can beat the 5Winging it Few insects say ‘summer’ more than the butterflies. Although the magnificence of a male red Peak District has its fair share of vibrant deer stag. species familiar to many, a real treat of the By the autumn, breeding season tensions are high and males will take the opportunity to show off their prowess by calling, strutting their stuff or, as a Be wild, be #PeakDistrictProud – wildlife can often hide away unseen until it’s too late, so the biggest helping hand you can give to nature on your visit is to follow our top tips. More on page 22. bilberry-covered moorlands is the green hairstreak. An effective mimic of the fresh spring leaves when feeding and resting, once in flight the silvery sheen is a sure giveaway. Bilberry-strewn footpaths and open woodlands at lower levels may be just as likely to play host to these springtime jewels.

combative last resort, a clash of antlers. Always 6Mountain climber best enjoyed at a safe distance, it can still For some wildlife, the Peak District feel like a ringside seat as the clatter of National Park is only a spot for a heads or bugling calls carry across the hills. summer visit. After a winter in northern

For an even more immersive experience, Africa, spring sees the arrival of the ring look out for the autumn ‘bolving’ ouzel – or ‘mountain blackbird’ – to our competitions when people can put up rock edges and escarpments. Similar to the their best vocal impressions of our resident garden blackbird but with a silvery sheen red deer! and distinctive white ‘moon’ band across their chest, male birds waste no time in A ring ouzel. singing to secure a territory from April PHOTO: TIM MELLING each year. Such is the specialised nature of the ring ouzel’s nest – set in the rock faces themselves – dedicated partnerships between researchers, rock climbers and volunteers help to allow them to nest safely each summer. 7Nature on the line One of the easiest ways to get close to wildlife in the Peak District is to explore how nature has grown alongside the more than 30 miles of former rail lines in the National Park. These level, surfaced and easy to navigate routes offer a chance to discover abundant wild flowers, be wrapped in the dawn chorus of summer-visiting warblers, pied flycatchers or redstarts, or see bees and butterflies that are now the new commuters of these routes. Bats and house martins may call old station buildings home and even rare orchids thrive where the railway once powered through.

Find out which trails are closest to you:

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/trails

Find out more

Still not sure what you’ve spotted? Why not head to the National Parks’ LookWild campaign and take part through the iNaturalist app! (more on page 15).

Join some of our ranger guided walks for a chance to encounter the wildlife mentioned in ParkLife

www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting