The sheer diversity of the Exmoor area’s wildlife
means that it is a great place to spot all kinds of
unusual animals and birds. There are 31 native
mammals, 1,751 species of insects and 1000 recorded
flowers and grasses. Virtually all 16 species of bat
found in the UK are found in the area, whilst
birdwatchers will be kept busy with more than two
hundred species of resident and migrating birds.
One
of Exmoor’s most famous sights is the Exmoor Pony, a
rare breed, whose ancestry goes back thousands of
years and is closely descended from the original wild
horses of Europe. Exmoor Ponies are thought to have
grazed around Exmoor for more than one hundred
thousand years and have remained pure-blooded
since the Ice Age! The Exmoor Pony Society and the Moorland Mousie Trust both work to ensure the
future of the breed, with an Exmoor Pony Centre at
Ashwick, where you can book a ride or enjoy a close
encounter with these lovely creatures.
However, one of the most impressive Exmoor wildlife
treats is to see wild red deer on the open moorland.
The best time to see them is early in the morning or
late in the evening and you will need binoculars as
they are well camouflaged and can be hard to spot.
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Exmoor National Park Authority organises a limited
number of deer safaris (call the National Park Centre
in Dulverton for details and booking 01398 323841). |
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