Peak District Species

The Peak District is home to an amazing array of species; common, rare, and even species that is found nowhere else on Earth! The Peak District really is a special place to come and see some of England's finest wildlife.  

In the National Park and beyond, we are fortunate to have large areas of semi-natural habitat that still supports a huge variety of wildlife.

Peak District Species

The Peak District supports 161 species that have been identified as priorities for the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) because they are at risk of being lost from our countryside.

Click on the link for a full list of the UKBAP species (322kb) which have been recorded in the Peak District since 1990, together with an indication of the National Character Area in which they have been recorded (including some species which are not on the UK BAP list, but are important locally).

Some species are habitat generalists, others are specialists and have particular niche requirements. Natural England has produced a series of spreadsheets outlining these requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with upland habitats (Upland Heathland; Blanket Bog; Flushes, Fen and Swamps; Rock, Scree and Pavement; Upland Hay Meadows) and their niche requirements click Upland Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with woodland habitats (Woodland Matrix, Parkland & Veteran Trees) and their niche requirements click Woodland Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with wetland habitats (Reedbed, Lowland Fen) and their niche requirements click Wetland Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with rivers and their niche requirements click River Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with lakes and ponds and their niche requirements click Lake & Pond Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with lowland farmland habitats (Arable Field Margins, Hedgerows, Grasslands, Lowland Heathland, Orchards) and their niche requirements click Lowland Farmland Species Niche Requirements.

To see details of BAP species associated with brownfield habitats (e.g. quarries, post-development sites) and their niche requirements click Brownfield Species Niche Requirements.