TOP 5 PLACES IN THE UK TO SEE WILDLIFE
There's wildlife in abundance. However, if you know where to look, you can see a broader and more intriguing range of species, as well as the opportunity to explore new habitats in sometimes isolated areas.
1. Puffins on the Farne Islands - Northumberland
Photo by Ray Hennessy
The puffin is one of the country's favourite birds, and the Farne Islands are one of the best sites to observe them up close. This rare bird is a favourite of visitors, providing endless photo ops during the mating season.
Puffins come to the Farnes every year to breed. This is usually between April and late July, with May and June being the busiest months for breeding. The birds fly out to sea for the rest of the year, overwintering on the ocean, only returning to land for a brief period each year to mate and rear their young. They discard their vividly coloured bills when out on the water in favour of a drab grey winter bill colouring. However, when spring comes, the brilliant colours reappear, and by the time they descend on land again, the bill is visible to all.
As the puffins migrate to the islands early in the season, they begin cleaning their burrows and preparing a new home for the months ahead. A single puffling (the term given to puffin chicks) will hatch and grow in this area. Incubation lasts about forty days, with the chick developing for another forty days or so. The puffling will not leave the nest until it is ready to venture out into the world for the first time. It soon surfaces with its parents for an awkward shuffle down to the water's edge, where it gets its first taste of the water, its future home.
2. Wild boars in Forest of Dean - Gloucestershire
Photo by Vincent M.A. Janssen
Although there are currently Boars around the Forest of Dean, it is relatively unusual to encounter them. After they've been turning over their soil with their snout and teeth, you'll mostly see the results of their nose-work. Plant roots and tubers, fungi (including truffles), nuts, seeds, and invertebrates are all sought after by them. They are generally nocturnal creatures, emerging at nightfall and grazing all night. During the day, you could find several, especially between the end of February and September, when female-led groups have young.
If you come across a boar, they will most likely flee; they are secretive and mostly active at night. If you come across wild boar while out in the forest, you may enjoy observing them by remaining motionless and maintaining a safe distance. A boar may approach you closer if the wind is blowing in the opposite way; they don't have great eyesight and may try to have a better look at you or a better scent! Leave the area by the same path you came in or take a diversion to give them a wide birth so they may continue without being disturbed.
3. Otters in The Broads - Norfolk
Photo by Lilian Dibbern
There is no prey more sleek, uncommon, or fascinating than the otter when it comes to big game spotting in the Broads National Park.
The otter is prospering in the Broads, thanks to strict legal and environmental protection, as well as reduced pesticide use and river pollution. However, because they favour calm backwaters, identifying one can be difficult. Although their large heads and tails are immediately recognised, they are quiet and slick swimmers, leaving just a trail of bubbles visible to the keen eye. Mostly nocturnal, they do make an appearance at dawn and dusk and their characteristic squeaks may be heard reverberating across the reeds.
If you're on the water, Barton and Ranworth Broads are the finest spots to view them paddling around. If you don't see them, go for a walk about the Broads and look for telltale evidence of them, such as spraints and footprints, as well as squeaks and the occasional splash, you never know, you could get lucky and see one!
4. Whale watching - north yorkshire
Photo by Amanda Panda
Whale watching is an exciting way to witness these amazing deep sea creatures in their natural habitat. If you haven't gone on a Whitby Whale Watching tour aboard one of Whitby Coastal Cruises' boats, you must add it to your bucket list.
Whales have a lengthy history in Whitby's marine history. The whaling business was responsible for much of the town's fame and prosperity. The Whalebone Arch is a reminder of those heady times.
The North Sea, right off the coast of Whitby, is teeming with marine life. Whales visit off the coast of Whitby every year in late July to feast on migratory herring that come to the Yorkshire coast to spawn.
Cetaceans, sharks, birds, and seals all come to feast. There have been several sightings of Minke whales, Sei, Fin, and Humpback whales over the years.
5. Wild ponies in the New Forest - Hampshire
Photo by Jason Polychrono
New Forest ponies may be found all across the National Park. It won't be long before you spot one of the 5,000 of them. The ponies have enough of nutritious food, and you may often see them grazing in small groups over the wide moorland.
Some of the ponies have silver collars, as you can see. Some of the ponies are given fluorescent collars when they are collected up as part of the drift to help them be more visible at night. However, not all of them are apprehended, and some are adept at escaping! If you're travelling at night and spot a reflective collar on a dark road, it's a sign that there are animals around, some of which you might not be able to see readily, so drive carefully.