Small mammals are common along The Ridgeway, particularly grey squirrels and rabbits. You may also see a hare in open countryside; they are bigger than rabbits with longer hind legs and ears which are black-tipped. They are solitary and most active at night, so late evening or early morning are the best times to see them.
If you are quiet you may see a stoat or weasel. The rare dormouse can also be found in some beech woodlands but is unlikely to be seen. However its much larger relative, the introduced edible dormouse, is more common in the woods from Wendover to Ivinghoe Beacon.
Four species of deer are found along The Ridgeway: red, roe and fallow and the introduced muntjac. They are shy so dusk and dawn give the best chances to view them:
Red deer are the largest and are only found on the western downs.
Fallow deer may be seen on the downs or in woodland areas.
Roe deer are the smallest native deer and live in small groups of just three or four animals. They are most likely to be seen in woodland areas.
Muntjac deer are smaller than roe, about as big as a medium-size dog, and might be seen anywhere along the Trail.
Foxes and badgers are common and are more likely to be seen in early morning or evening. You may also hear foxes (or muntjac deer) barking.
At dusk you may see bats hunting around open woodland or in sheltered valleys, especially near water. There are 16 species of British bat, of which 10 could be present along different parts of The Ridgeway, though it is very difficult to identify bats in flight. Bats hibernate during winter so will not be seen at this time.