Wildlife Holiday Destinations

[Ann2]

I've only been back at work for a week (after my two week trip to Scotland) but already I'm planning my next holiday in the camper van.

My main interests are british mammals and birds that are fairly easy to identify and photograph, so can anyone think of a good location to visit sometime in July?

Ann

[eeyore]

there are hundreds of possible answers to that but two which spring to mind are the norfolk coast - blakney , titchwell, cley etc , or the pembrokeshire coast - both willhave decent birdlife with the former leaning more to waders and the atter to seabirds such as puffins and both have decent seal colonies which are the easiest british mammal to photograph - on this i particularly recommend beans boats out of moreston in blakeney harbour.

[GuyF]

You could pay a visit to Dorset.
There are a few good spots for photographing and getting close to the creatures, the RSPB Arne reserve allows you to get within feet of Sika Deer (sometimes a bit too close, make sure you don't get too close to the stags in rutting season) great photo opportunities there, and you can also get close to heathland birds such as the Dartford Warbler.
Also Brownsea Island, at that time of year the Red Squirrels will probably be quite hard to spot but they'll be around and if you're patient you could get a very good photo opportunity. Also the lagoon there should be good for getting close to some birds, I've never visited at that time of year before but there should still be Sandwich and Common Terns on the islands just infront of the hides, good for photos again. And, loads of tame Peacocks if you want to photograph something a bit more colourful, although not quite so wild or difficult!
Guy

[rlchew]

Ann

I know what you feel like .... 2 weeks in Scotland, back home and withdrawal symptoms .... been there, done that, many times!

I am going up to the Highlands in early June and I have already planned my trips for when I get back home .... Skomer (for seabirds and north Norfolk (for birds and seals).

What ever you choose to do .... enjoy!

Richard

[galanthus]

Eeyore's Pembrokeshire coast is a fab suggestion. I've seen choughs, puffins, razorbills, dolphins, seal colonies, the list is endless. Beautiful scenery and a reasonable car ride should get you to Gigrin farm to see the Red Kites being fed, fantastic.

[agrumpycow]

I can also recommend Pembrokeshire, I got back a few weeks ago from a holiday there. Another place to catch red kites is Bwlch Nant yr Arian Visitor Centre, Ceredigion, a little further but a fantastic place.
A couple of years ago we spent two weeks in Glen Lyon, Perthshire. Wildlife pretty much on the door step: Red deer, red squirrels, ptarmigan and one very quick glimpse of a capercaillie. Glen Lyon is extremely remote so no good if you like isolation but I am promising myself a visit back very soon. The whole Perthshire area is great. I could go on and on about the area but I won't for fear of boring people

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by galanthus

Eeyore's Pembrokeshire coast is a fab suggestion. I've seen choughs, puffins, razorbills, dolphins, seal colonies, the list is endless. Beautiful scenery and a reasonable car ride should get you to Gigrin farm to see the Red Kites being fed, fantastic.

if you do go here i highly recomend east hook farm campsite at marlowes - last time i was there i crawled out of my tent at dawn and came face to face with a puffin at about 2ft distance it didnt seem too bothered but unfortunately poddled off before i could get the camera out.

they charge 8 notes a night for camper vans 4 for tents and you can contact them on 01646 636291

[Ann2]

Pembrokeshire is definitely a good suggestion, I visit North Pembrokeshire/Ceredigion most years but I just might try something different this year for a change.

It's been a few years since I went to Blakeney Point but I might hang on till later in the year and take a trip to Donna Nook.

Arne is also a good suggestion, when is the heather in flower there?

Could you give me some more info on Glen Lyon please Claire?

Thank you

Ann

[agrumpycow]

Glenlyon is a very remote glen in Perthshire. There are a few self catering cottages within the glen but other than that the nearest place to stay would be Aberfeldy, just under an hour away, which is where the nearest shops are. Within the glen itself there are a sprinkling of houses and a post office which doubles as a coffee shop. It's about 25 miles long (if I remember right) and the single track road through it, which is frequently closed in bad weather, climbs over the main Ben Lawers ridge at the western end.
Because of this remoteness it's a haven for the more rare wildlife. Here's a link telling you more, Glen Lyon Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland
If you do go, don't tell me because I'll go mad with envy I keep promising myself another visit but it's so far away it takes a lot of planning