Search Natural Areas Foreword Natural Areas & Their Role Natural Area Boundaries Marine Natural Areas Dark Peak Introduction Previous Search results Key nature conservation features of National Significance Blanket bog Earth heritage Upland heathland Key nature conservation features of Local Significance Lowland dry acid grassland Lowland meadows Neutral grassland Purple moor-grass and rush pastures Rivers and streams Standing open water and canals Upland oak woodland Wet woodland

25 Dark Peak   The Dark Peak is an area of peat-covered, high hills dissected by deep, narrow valleys or 'cloughs'. The summits form relatively level plateaux which exceed 610 m on Kinder Scout and neighbouring Bleaklow. The underlying geology is dominated by Upper Carboniferous shales and sandstones, laid down around 330-320 million years ago, which have the fossil remains of both marine and freshwater invertebrates. Upland heathland and blanket bog cover extensive areas of the Dark Peak and these support nationally important breeding populations of golden plover, dunlin, merlin and short-eared owl. Rough grassland, hay meadow and pasture create feeding and breeding areas for lapwing, curlew and twite. Characteristic steep-sided valleys or cloughs have fast-flowing streams and are home to ring ouzel and dipper. Woodland is largely confined to the cloughs and moorland fringes. Reservoirs are a characteristic feature of the Dark Peak.   Natural Area profile available - Size 597 kb     Copyright    Privacy    Freedom of information    Directgov