Wildlife Holidays in the United Kingdom

Such seabird colonies, and the rich coastal ecosystems that surround them, represent an area of natural history in which the United Kingdom truly excels. Every summer, our islands and cliffs play host to some of the greatest concentrations of breeding seabirds on Earth, including such iconic species as Atlantic Puffin, Common Guillemot, Razorbill, and Kittiwake, as well as most of the world population of both Northern Gannet and Manx Shearwater. These raucous assemblages are often jaw-dropping in scale, and in many places – such as Skomer in Wales, or the Farne Islands off Northumberland – they can be experienced at astonishingly close quarters. Offshore, the same nutrient-rich waters that support these great seabird cities also draw in other marvellous marine life, including Common and Grey Seals, Basking Sharks, Common and Bottlenose Dolphins, Harbour Porpoise and Minke Whale. As populations recover, sightings of Bluefin Tuna, Humpback and Fin Whales are increasing in many areas, while the northern isles of Shetland and Orkney attract pods of a true apex predator: the Orca.

Sightings of flagship species like White-tailed Eagle and Otter were once confined to the west coast of Scotland, but are now, through reintroductions and natural recovery, increasingly common in wetlands elsewhere.

In fact, the UK’s wetlands in general represent an inspiring conservation success story; not so long ago, the chances of encountering breeding birds like Bittern, Marsh Harrier, Osprey, Avocet, Crane, Great White Egret and Spoonbill might have seemed remote, but today populations of all of these have surged thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. This has also helped localised wetland plants and insects, such as Fen Orchid, Marsh Helleborine, Swallowtail butterfly and Fen Raft Spider. Another welcome recent development has been the return of Eurasian Beaver to the UK, after an absence of around 400 years. As well as being a charismatic creature in its own right, these massive rodents will also expand and transform wetland habitats wherever they occur, with cascading benefits for entire ecosystems. Some of the UK’s most awe-inspiring winter wildlife spectacles also occur in wetlands, such as millions of Starlings gathering at dusk on the Somerset Levels, or tens of thousands of wild geese lifting off above the Norfolk coast or Solway Firth.

Across much of Britain, the natural habitat is oak-dominated woodlands. True ancient forest is now scarce, but landscapes like the Forest of Dean and New Forest offer glimpses into a wilder past. These habitats provide vital refuges for a host of specialised birds like Hawfinch, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Wood Warbler, Goshawk and Honey Buzzard, as well rare bats like Barbastelle and Bechstein’s, and other mammals such as Wild Boar, Hazel Dormouse and Red Deer. Sun-dappled glades are also home to some of the UK’s most impressive insects, like Purple Emperor, Silver-washed Fritillary, White Admiral and Stag Beetle, while spring carpets of Bluebells are amongst the country’s most beautiful floral displays.

In most areas, woodlands were cleared long ago to make way for agriculture. Modern farmland is mostly poor wildlife habitat, but some open, cleared areas can be remarkably good for biodiversity, in particular lowland heathland and chalk downland. Lowland heaths are dominated by heather and gorse, and are a stronghold for British reptiles (with all six native species thriving on Dorset heaths), scarce birds like Dartford Warbler, Woodlark and Nightjar, and unusual insects like Ladybird Spider. Chalk downlands – such as those on Salisbury Plain or the Hampshire Downs – are characterised by thin, nutrient-poor soils, and support exceptional botanical and invertebrate diversity, including Chalkhill, Adonis and Large Blue butterflies and a wonderful assemblage of wild orchids.

Unlike lowland Britain, much of the Scottish Highlands would once have been cloaked in mysterious Caledonian pine forests. Mere fragments of their original extent remain, but their splendour survives, as do species like Pine Marten, Capercaillie, Crested Tit and Scottish Crossbill, one of only two birds found only in the British Isles. The other, the Red Grouse, is often abundant in the more open surrounding moorlands, while the high mountain crags above are the abode of Ptarmigan, Dotterel and Golden Eagle, as well as Mountain Hare, Northern Damselfly, Mountain Ringlet, and relict alpine plants like Mountain Avens, Moss Campion and Trailing Azalea.

Overall, it is the variety and accessibility of British wildlife that makes it so compelling, with a smattering of truly world-class spectacles thrown in. The UK also has an almost unrivalled network of expert naturalists, scientists and conservationists, many of whom share their knowledge as guides on Naturetrek tours. Whether you want to gaze in awe at a bustling seabird city, explore ancient oak woodlands, or even uncover the surprising diversity of wildlife in the city, Naturetrek’s UK tours have something for everyone.

What’s Special About Its Wildlife

The UK has a great deal of remarkable wildlife, as well as some of the world’s oldest reserves and foremost experts on nature. Birds are perhaps the most watched group of animals in the country, and offer up some of our most breathtaking natural history spectacles: impregnable cliff faces teeming with seabirds; uncountable flocks of estuarine waders; and Starling murmurations so vast they bring an early dusk. The UK’s position on the northwestern edge of Eurasia, gazing out into the Atlantic Ocean, makes it a hotspot for birds overshooting mainland Europe, as well as for vagrants from even further afield; birdwatching in Britain consequently offers a heady mix of the regular and the unexpected.

The UK’s mammals are less obvious, but still include a variety of engaging and visible creatures such as Otter, Pine Marten, Beaver, Red Deer, Hazel Dormouse, and an impressive mix of cetaceans. Other sought-after species amongst the British fauna and flora include Sand Lizard, Smooth Snake and Natterjack Toad, Stag Beetles and Purple Emperor butterflies, intricate orchids on chalk downlands, and scented carpets of Bluebells.

Finally, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of wildlife in Britain, in part thanks to a series of exciting reintroductions (with the hope of more to come). Such varied and charismatic species as Beaver, Otter, Wild Boar, European Wildcat, White-tailed Eagle, Osprey, Pine Marten, Common Crane, Great Bustard and even White Stork have all returned, or made strong comebacks, in the last few decades; this could be a crucial turning point in the fortunes of Britain’s biodiversity. In short, there’s never been a more exciting time to go out in search of UK wildlife.