Wildlife
With its mixture of upland habitats the North Pennines is home to an amazing variety of wildlife.
The upland hay meadows and associated habitats support several species of breeding waders and are important feeding areas for invertebrates and bats. Moorlands are home to birds like red grouse, black grouse, curlew, golden plover, merlin, peregrine and short-eared owl. Adders are found in moorland and heath and wetter areas of moorland are also home to amphibians.
The headwaters of streams and rivers are particularly important wildlife habitats and support species not found in other parts of river systems. Many uplands streams and rivers of the North Pennines are strongholds for water voles. Otters can be found in lots of streams and reservoirs in the area. Some of the woodlands of the AONB support birds like migratory pied flycatcher and the wood warbler and red squirrels are found in several locations throughout the region.