Wildlife

The North York Moors is home to an assortment of wildlife ranging from Merlin to lapwing, otter to fox and grass snake to adder. Wherever you go in the National Park you are bound to see some trace of wildlife. Actual sightings can be reasonably guaranteed, but patience is a virtue well founded in this pursuit and remember it all adds to the excitement.

You can download our e-brochure which tells you some of the best places to go to in the North York Moors for wildlife watching.

The Bridestones Nature Reserve
The Bridestones are giant-sized, sandstone outcrops that have been weathered into strange and interesting shapes and can be seen on Grime Moor, as part of the Moorland nature reserve. The Bridestones Nature trail is approximately 1 and a half miles long and leads visitors through a range a habitats. The Bridestones Nature Reserve is also designated as an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) so this not only gives you the chance to see an array of wildlife, (which may include adders so watch out) but also one of the National Park's rare ancient woodlands which has been in existence for over 400 years.

Grid Ref: SE 873912

The Bridestones Nature Reserve is accessible via the Moorsbus service, for information on times and destinations call 01845 597426.

For more information visit the National Trust Website.

Crow Wood
This small area of mixed woodland within the grounds of The Moors Centre at Danby contains remnants of a ‘wild wood’ that covered most of the Esk Valley up until around 200 years ago. At this time it was said that a squirrel could travel from Commondale to Glaisdale (about 10 miles) without touching the ground! Over the last 200 years most of this ‘wild wood’ has been cleared for farmland, but one or two ancient oaks can still be seen in Crow Wood, together with a variety of ornamental trees planted in the mid 19th century when The Moors Centre was a Victorian shooting lodge. Now the woodland provides a peaceful stroll for visitors to this National Park Centre. Come in spring and see the ground carpeted in wild daffodils, or come in autumn and enjoy crunching your way through masses of crispy, golden leaves. A new bird hide and feeding station have recently been installed and here you can see a variety of woodland birds including goldfinch, nuthatch and green woodpecker and an entertaining troop of cheeky grey squirrels!

Crow Wood is open daily all year round and entry is free. Access is from The Moors Centre car park where pay and display charges apply. All main paths and the bird hide are wheelchair accessible.

Grid Ref: NZ 885040

Crow Wood and The Moors Centre are accessible via the Moorsbus service, for information on times and destinations call 01845 597426.

Duncombe Park National Nature Reserve
Neighbouring the market town of Helmsley, Duncombe Park offers a unique range of wildlife. Situated a stones throw from Helmsley market square, Duncombe Park Nature Reserve provides you with a picturesque valley with the River Rye running through it and excellent examples of veteran trees which although ancient and gnarled, are home to a variety of rare and spectacular insects and fungi. Look out for Kingfisher and Dipper along the Rye.
Cost: Adult £6.50, OAP’s and Students £5, Child 10-16 £3, Family £13.50.

Grid Ref: SE 603830

Duncombe Park is accessible via the Scarborough & District 128 bus service, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

For more information visit the English Nature Website and Duncombe Park Website.

Falling Foss
This walk gives you the chance to meander alongside May Beck and Little Beck streams and marvel at the array of wild flowers which blanket the woodland floor. Many birds can be seen in the woodland canopy for all you birdwatchers, but if you prefer a more tranquil setting the waterfall at Falling Foss is particularly striking following a period of heavy rain.

Grid Ref: NZ 885040

Falling Foss is not accessible by public transport.

For more information visit the Forestry Commission Website.

Forge Valley Woods National Nature Reserve
Forge Valley was formed when melt waters, released from diminishing glaciers at the end of the last ice age, were unable to drain directly into the North Sea because of an ice dam at Scarborough. These rapidly cut down through the rock to form the gorge. Today, Forge Valley Woods is one of the best remaining examples of valley-side mixed deciduous woodland within the National Park. It is home to an array of wildlife and provides visitors with a chance to see the natural world of the North York Moors in all its splendour. For more information a trail guide is available from your nearest Tourist Information Centre.
Forge Valley Woods is accessible via the Scarborough & District 128 bus service, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

Grid Ref: SE 989857

For more information visit the English Nature Website.

Garbutt Wood Reserve
Garbutt Wood, looked after by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is a fine example of what remains of wildwood in the North York Moors. Follow the path down from Sutton Bank National Park Centre and keep your eyes and ears open. If you tread quietly enough you might see the secretive roe deer skulking among the trees but just watch out for low branches! Garbutt Wood is home to a huge array of plants and animals with as many as 250 different types of insects living on a single oak tree – that’s a lot of mouths to feed!

Garbutt Wood Reserve is accessible via the Moorsbus service, for information on times and destinations call 01845 597426.

For more information, 'Sutton Bank Trail Guide' can be purchased from National Park centres and Tourist Information points.

Grid Ref: SE 506835

For further information visit the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust Website.

Heritage Coast
The narrow strip between land and sea that we call the shore is arguably the richest area for wildlife anywhere in the country including flocks of bird life, sea creatures and an abundance of plant life. With such coastal towns as Scarborough and Whitby to visit, there is plenty of chance to see some of the National Parks Aquatic Organisms!

The Heritage Coastal towns are accessible via the Arriva and Scarborough & District bus services, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

Levisham Estate
Levisham Estate is owned and managed by the North York Moors National Park Authority. Almost the entire area has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and therefore provides a huge resource of wildlife and a wide range of habitats. After the production of an extensive management plan for Levisham Estate, over the next few years the estate will become an excellent example of land management practice.

Grid Ref: SE 834932

Levisham Estate is accessible via the Yorkshire Coastliner to Saltergate bus service, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

Or, why not travel a little differently and take a journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Levisham Station. For more information on the railway visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Website or call 01751 472508

Pexton Moor
Pexton Moor, with its staggering views stretches from the peak of Pexton Bank all the way down to Ellerburn and is a great spot for sightseers. Displays of wild flowers that in the summer play host to a number of butterflies in the area are extremely pleasing to the eye. Pexton Moor also prides itself on being a key location for bird watching and offers talking posts along the public footpath that runs alongside Dalby Forest Drive, giving listeners short commentaries on wildlife interests, including butterflies and fungi.

Park at Haygate car park and picnic area at the peak of Pexton Bank, close to Dalby Forest.
Grid Ref: SE 854865.

Haygate is accessible via the Moorsbus service, for information on times and destinations call 01845 597426.
For more information visit the Forestry Commission website.

Sandsend Quarry
Owned by the Marquis of Normanby this former alum quarry to the north of Sandsend makes for a good location to watch seabirds and also waders at low tide. The small ponds, wet patches and scrub woods among the quarry wasteland give a whole host of wildlife a wonderful habitat.
Sandsend Quarry is accessible via the Arriva bus services, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

For more information a trail guide can be purchased from National Park centres and Tourist Information points.

Grid Ref: NZ 857137

Scaling Dam
Owned by Northumbrian Water Scaling Dam is a large reservoir bordering the A171, Guisborough to Whitby road. It is a popular bird watching site as it is home to over 180 bird species. The small Nature Reserve in the southwest corner of the lake provides protection to the meadowland and water’s edge habitats.

Sandsend Quarry is accessible via the Arriva bus services, for information on times and destinations call 08706 082608.

Grid Ref: 746126

Sea Life Centre
Set against Scarborough's cliffs, the distinctive white pyramids of the Sea Life Centre offer a unique opportunity to experience marine wildlife from around the world - and you won't get wet! Talks, feeding displays and demonstrations take place daily. The centre also houses a group of seals in an outdoor pool which can be viewed through an underwater observatory window.

For more information visit the Sea Life Centre website.