My most memorable wildlife encounter in the UK was watching a cormorant struggle to swallow a huge eel in Cardiff Bay. Right by all the restaurants/pubs. It was amazing how few people noticed. The cormorant won but the eel wriggled out of its gullet several times! It was quite gory but amazing. On more ‘normal’ wildlife spectacles Skomer island in Wales in May/June is out of this world - the sheer numbers/noise of seabirds. Also less natural but guaranteed which is nice for wildlife spectacles- red kite feeding in mid wales.
One of my favourite wildlife encounters was spotting a kingfisher in Brookmill Park, a short walk from my home in South London. There are herons nesting there too. I've also seen kingfishers in Ladywell Fields not too far away from here. In fact the only times I've ever seen kingfishers is in London! It's amazing what you can spot even in the most built-up areas.
I was in the Forest of Dean a few weeks ago and saw lots of evidence of wild boar activity but the only time I've seen the animals themselves was in Spain and it was wonderful to see the whole family with all the stripey little ones trotting along beside the adults.
I've never seen dolphins in Moray, but I've seen them in Aberdeen Harbour every time I sail from there to the Northern Isles. And of course Shetland is an amazing place for wildlife.
Edinburgh is a great city for wildlife, including otters and kingfishers.
I really like your photos and the notion of appreciating the wildlife close to home. Memorable UK wildlife experiences…puffins on Staffa, watching hares on Orford Ness (Suffolk) peregrines at York Minster, porpoises and seals around Ramsay Island ( Welsh coast), white tailed (sea) eagles off the coast of the Isle of Harris, a kingfisher spotted from a motel in the centre of Bath, and the occasional appearance of kites and ravens in Derbyshire. The North Norfolk coast is a regular autumn destination…so many birds 😊
Amazing animals & photos. It's so true that we don't need to travel far, and so important to value our local species.
I'm not in the UK, but I think you have them as well: dippers. They are one of my favourite species to watch. It still surprises me every time how they jump into the water and swim - so unexpected for a bird looking like that. I have seen them in cities and villages too.
And woodcocks! They are so strange, I love them. Saw them for the first time in real life last year.
I saw them during the courtship flights in spring - I assume that is the easiest way to see them. I guess it's quite rare to see them on the ground (but I still dream of it!).
You’ve reminded me of two things. 1. I have a book on UK rainforests that I must dig out. I’d almost forgotten the beauty of them. It’s been a while! 2. I have never seen a kingfisher. I may need you to share some top tips with me at some stage.
I’ve just done a bit of googling and it seems like the pigs you have originally came from Europe - so they are invasive like you said. Puffins are beautiful aren’t they!
The best one that I've discovered from my visits in the UK was Canterbury - the channels are full of birds, and the huge parks and greenery all around are hosting squirrels and foxes - and these are only the ones that I've spotted.
The sea is not too far, and neither are the wild spots in Kent.
I'm not international, but if you go back to Northumberland, Annstead Dunes is heaving with all kinds of shorebirds at this time of year! The sanderlings have to be my personal favourite!
I have been lucky enough to visit the Cairngorms and found it stunning! This was before my birdy days, so I am sure I missed some stunners. Need to put Farne Island on my list for the puffins! Great read, Thomas.
Hi Thomas. These are some beautiful photos. My most memorable encounter has to be the epic starling murmuration that recently took place above my house. But I would LOVE to see a kingfisher. I'm making it my mission this year.
Whilst the wildlife losses are often mentioned in the press and yes, sadly there are some I would also refer the reader to North Norfolk and specifically to Holkham Freshwater Marshes. A home for a wealth of wildfowl including pink footed geese during the winter but during the spring and summer a home to all the egrets. Quite easy in one visit to see little, great white and cattle egrets, plus spoonbills and grey heron.
Can I also recommend oystercatchers in Morecambe Bay and starlings everywhere they murmurate?
You absolutely can! A starling murmuration is something everyone has to see at least once in their life.
My most memorable wildlife encounter in the UK was watching a cormorant struggle to swallow a huge eel in Cardiff Bay. Right by all the restaurants/pubs. It was amazing how few people noticed. The cormorant won but the eel wriggled out of its gullet several times! It was quite gory but amazing. On more ‘normal’ wildlife spectacles Skomer island in Wales in May/June is out of this world - the sheer numbers/noise of seabirds. Also less natural but guaranteed which is nice for wildlife spectacles- red kite feeding in mid wales.
I love those little urban wildlife encounters. Great moments!
One of my favourite wildlife encounters was spotting a kingfisher in Brookmill Park, a short walk from my home in South London. There are herons nesting there too. I've also seen kingfishers in Ladywell Fields not too far away from here. In fact the only times I've ever seen kingfishers is in London! It's amazing what you can spot even in the most built-up areas.
I was in the Forest of Dean a few weeks ago and saw lots of evidence of wild boar activity but the only time I've seen the animals themselves was in Spain and it was wonderful to see the whole family with all the stripey little ones trotting along beside the adults.
Brilliant! I’m not familiar with those places, I’ll check them out
I've never seen dolphins in Moray, but I've seen them in Aberdeen Harbour every time I sail from there to the Northern Isles. And of course Shetland is an amazing place for wildlife.
Edinburgh is a great city for wildlife, including otters and kingfishers.
Otters! I’d love to see an otter
Otters are wonderful creatures to watch! We're very lucky that they turn up in one of Edinburgh's parks as well as all along our rivers.
Would love to go and see all of these! Great suggestions ❤️
Hope it was useful!
I really like your photos and the notion of appreciating the wildlife close to home. Memorable UK wildlife experiences…puffins on Staffa, watching hares on Orford Ness (Suffolk) peregrines at York Minster, porpoises and seals around Ramsay Island ( Welsh coast), white tailed (sea) eagles off the coast of the Isle of Harris, a kingfisher spotted from a motel in the centre of Bath, and the occasional appearance of kites and ravens in Derbyshire. The North Norfolk coast is a regular autumn destination…so many birds 😊
These are fantastic experiences!!
Amazing animals & photos. It's so true that we don't need to travel far, and so important to value our local species.
I'm not in the UK, but I think you have them as well: dippers. They are one of my favourite species to watch. It still surprises me every time how they jump into the water and swim - so unexpected for a bird looking like that. I have seen them in cities and villages too.
And woodcocks! They are so strange, I love them. Saw them for the first time in real life last year.
Yes!! I love dippers, I love watching them fish from rocks! Never seen a woodcock, will have to go looking for one.
I saw them during the courtship flights in spring - I assume that is the easiest way to see them. I guess it's quite rare to see them on the ground (but I still dream of it!).
You’ve reminded me of two things. 1. I have a book on UK rainforests that I must dig out. I’d almost forgotten the beauty of them. It’s been a while! 2. I have never seen a kingfisher. I may need you to share some top tips with me at some stage.
Yesss come hang out with me and the kingfishers any time!
Wooo!
It is so interesting how wild boar are vital to the environment there, while they are destructive to the environment here in the south east US.
Puffins are some of my favorite birds and one day I hope to see them in real life.
I’ve just done a bit of googling and it seems like the pigs you have originally came from Europe - so they are invasive like you said. Puffins are beautiful aren’t they!
There's beauty everywhere, you've done a great job pointing out we don't always need exotic destinations to see beautiful nature 😊
Thanks!
Great spots!
The best one that I've discovered from my visits in the UK was Canterbury - the channels are full of birds, and the huge parks and greenery all around are hosting squirrels and foxes - and these are only the ones that I've spotted.
The sea is not too far, and neither are the wild spots in Kent.
And it's like an hour away from London, by train.
Great tip. I lived in Canterbury for 3 years and loved it.
Thanks for sharing the wonderful wildlife photos.
I'm not international, but if you go back to Northumberland, Annstead Dunes is heaving with all kinds of shorebirds at this time of year! The sanderlings have to be my personal favourite!
Fantastic I’ll definitely be going back!
I have been lucky enough to visit the Cairngorms and found it stunning! This was before my birdy days, so I am sure I missed some stunners. Need to put Farne Island on my list for the puffins! Great read, Thomas.
It’s a lovely part of the world!
Hi Thomas. These are some beautiful photos. My most memorable encounter has to be the epic starling murmuration that recently took place above my house. But I would LOVE to see a kingfisher. I'm making it my mission this year.
Whilst the wildlife losses are often mentioned in the press and yes, sadly there are some I would also refer the reader to North Norfolk and specifically to Holkham Freshwater Marshes. A home for a wealth of wildfowl including pink footed geese during the winter but during the spring and summer a home to all the egrets. Quite easy in one visit to see little, great white and cattle egrets, plus spoonbills and grey heron.