Fauna to Fawn Over - 5 Species to Inspire Your Holiday!
.jpg)
There’s nothing quite like a lodge holiday to put you at the heart of all sorts of different wildlife; here’s a quick guide on where to stay to make you feel both at peace in nature, and one with it!
.jpg)
Puffins
These captivating seabirds are known for their bright orange beaks and feet, and penguin-like appearance – and you can visit them from May to July.
Take a lovely boat ride to Skomer Island in Pembrokeshire which has over 40,000 puffins, alongside grey seals and razorbills! Or see dolphins on the ferry (or the speedy sea safari boat) in passage to Lundy Island, near Devon (Lundy is derived from the old Norse for puffin!).
If you’re staying in Yorkshire, the Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington offer a spectacular view of the birds and scenery – no boat needed too!
.jpg)
Grey Seals
While these plump and fluffy seals inspired the strange myth of ‘selkies’ – the reality is much cuter!
Blakeney Point in Norfolk is the largest grey seal colony in the UK, with 9000 born every year, and prime time is between October to January which is when you’ll see the seal pups. Either go on a locally run boat trip (the best way to see them), or walk around the stunning cliffs! You’ll also find them lounging on the sand dunes of Donna Nook (Lincolnshire), and in Wales’ Cardigan Bay, where you’ll find seals, bottlenose dolphins, and harbour porpoises!
.jpg)
Otters
Just like seals, baby otters are also called pups, but unlike seals they have the awesome ability to use tools: this witty wildlife uses rocks to open shellfish and even keep their favourite rock in a pouch under their armpit!
In Devon, you might find otters on any of the river banks! These shy creatures might be difficult to spot on your own, but you can head over to the family-run Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary and Buckfast Butterfly Farm in South Devon, where you’ll definitely find plenty. They’re also found in the rivers of Cornwall, and along the Cornish coast!
.jpg)
Red Squirrels
Norfolk is one of few places where you can spot the endangered Red Squirrel. Kelling Heath Holiday Park has run a breeding and conservation programme since 1999; they also host “Acorn Activities” to learn and interact with the wildlife!
With the most Red Squirrels in England (approximately 3500), The Isle of Wight is the place to be in Autumn and Spring. See them in Alverstone Mead: a wildlife reserve with four nature reserves within it; The Garlic Farm: the perfect day out - glades, wooded paths, a restaurant, and an array of their own garlic products; lastly if you stay in our Woodside Coastal Retreat, they’re in the nearby Firestone Copse!
.jpg)
Red Deer
Finally, there’s nowhere like the Scottish Highlands to find fawns to fawn over, as there’s around 400 000 red deer inhabiting them! The best time to spot them is at dawn and dusk, with many residing in the Cairngorms National Park on the Glenlivet Estate.
For the largest herd in England, the beautiful Exmoor National Park has coastline walks and incredible landscapes, where we recommend heading out around dusk to see the deer, and then do some stargazing – as thanks to the minimal light pollution, these are some of the clearest skies in England!
Ready to feel like Snow White (with maybe a hot tub and modern kitchen appliances)?
Lucky for you, we have an array of stays to choose from in all of these locations!
Author: Amelia Oakes
.jpg)
.jpg)
