Top 5 UK locations to spot wild sharks, turtles and dolphins 2021

Your Pets Daily Editor — Fri, 08 Oct 2021 08:07:03 +0000

Holidaycottages.co.uk has revealed the top five places to spot Britain’s most impressive wildlife such as dolphins, whales, and turtles

· 32% of Brits are now considering a staycation following the pandemic

· The top five locations include Northumberland and Pembrokeshire

In the UK we are blessed with many things, and excellent wildlife is certainly one of them. But where should wildlife lovers go on holiday in the British Isles?

Holiday lettings company holidaycottages.co.uk has revealed the top five places to spot some of Britain’s most impressive wildlife. From the Scottish Highlands to Devon, these wildlife hotspots make the perfect place for a truly unforgettable staycation.

So, if you’re one of the 32% of Brits now considering a staycation1 following the pandemic and you’d love to spot a dolphin or see a shark in the wild, consider taking a visit to these beautiful coastal locations:

1. Highlands

Well known for its beautiful scenery and stunning oceans, you are guaranteed to have a wonderful wildlife experience at Moray Firth in the Highlands.

When visiting, there’s a chance that you could spot not one, but three different species of wildlife. That’s right, this location is often home to dolphins, minke whales (they make quite the splash when breaching the water), and seals! Don’t forget to keep a significant distance when visiting the animals and protect their habitat.

2. Northumberland

When you think of Northumberland, its historic architecture and incredible landscapes may come to mind but that’s not all it has to offer. The Farne Islands are an exceptional place to spot all sorts of wildlife.

You can watch seals having fun on the shore and dolphin spot to your heart’s content! But one thing that makes the Farne Islands extra special is that it’s one of the best puffin locations on the Great British Coast. There are around 40,000 nesting pairs in the Farne Islands colony and the best time to visit is the summer months when they return to the islands to breed. To avoid disturbing the beautiful birds, a boat will take you to the islands and keep you a safe distance away.

3. Cornwall

Cornwall is a well-known popular holiday destination, as it offers so many great staycation experiences, including the opportunity to see some of the UK’s most amazing wildlife.

The Isles of Scilly is a great location to stop by; the island homes a range of different wildlife animals including seals, whales, sharks, and puffins and if you’re lucky you might just see them all! Although the Isles of Scilly have a lot to offer when it comes to wildlife if you’d like to see dolphins, Porthgwarra is the location for you whilst Penzance is the hot spot for catching a rare glimpse of leatherback turtles – yes that’s right, turtles in the UK!

4. Devon

Due to its spectacular coastline and unforgettable beaches, Devon is a very popular staycation destination. There are many activities to do in Devon, but it doesn’t get much better than spending a day at the beach spotting some of the UK’s most special wildlife animals.

Devon is home to dolphins, puffins and seals so there’s something for all the family to see. If you’re wanting to see dolphins, you should visit Labrador Bay, whereas Lundy is the place to be if you are looking to spot puffins and seals. Make sure to respect the animals’ space and always keep a safe distance from them.

5. Pembrokeshire

Pembrokeshire is not a place you’d easily forget. Famous for its Welsh coastline and its stunning attractions, it is a fantastic destination for a staycation. If you decide to take a trip out to Skomer Island, you may even catch a glimpse of a seal splashing around or a puffin picking up some fish with its brightly coloured beak. What better way to enjoy a staycation than taking in the view of these beautiful wildlife creatures in their natural habitat, all in front of the incredible Pembrokeshire scenery?

Commenting on the findings, Shannon Keary, Digital PR Manager at holidaycottages.co.uk says: “When thinking about wildlife animals such as turtles and dolphins, it’s easy to assume that they all live somewhere tropical but it’s amazing to see that there are many places across the UK that home these beautiful creatures!

“Whilst visiting these wildlife hot spots can make a staycation extra special, it’s important to remember to keep a safe distance from the animals. There are boat trips available that will take you to see the wildlife from a secure distance. Following these regulations and respecting the creature’s habitat is extremely important for the safety and well-being of the wildlife."

To find out more information please visit: https://www.holidaycottages.co.uk/blog/where-to-spot-wildlife-great-british-coast

Pickles the Leeds Castle Swan Turns 30!

Your Pets Daily Editor — Wed, 26 May 2021 14:27:55 +0000

Regular visitors to Leeds Castle will be familiar with the varied wildlife that lives on the estate and one of the residents is celebrating their 30th birthday this month. The grounds are home to 'Pickles', believed to be the oldest swan in the UK.

Pickles is a Whooper Swan, a large white swan with a long thin neck and black legs. He is easily recognisable by his large vibrant yellow bill. He is also the noisiest resident on the Castle's moat! Whooper swans can grow up to 160cm in length from bill to tail and weigh up to 11kg. They undertake one of the longest sea crossings of any swan species, migrating around 1400km to Britain from Iceland.

Pickles can often be seen swimming gracefully across the Castle's ancient moat or on the vast Great Water, surrounded by a variety of other wildlife including Mute Swans, Trumpeter Swans and the famous Leeds Castle Black Swans. There are 19 captive bred swans that call the grounds of Leeds Castle home, but none more famous than Pickles, who at the grand age of 30, is the Castle's oldest resident and possibly the oldest swan in the country.

A typical lifespan for Whooper Swans is around 10 years in the wild, but they can live into their late 20s in captivity. Pickles came to Leeds Castle back in 2013 at the ripe age of 22. When he arrived there was little known about him other than he had hatched sometime in early June 1991, no exact date had been given which meant Pickles didn't have a birthday. The Castle's Falconry & Wildlife Team decided to assign him a day and 3rd June became known at the Castle as 'Pickles Day'.

Staff celebrate 'Pickles Day' every year, often there will be a chorus of Happy Birthday shouted or sung to Pickles from the bank of the Great Water, but this year warrants a special celebration. Pickles will enjoy his very own birthday swan food cake with his feathered friends.

Being an older swan, he is treated slightly differently, he's not a big fan of eating with all the other swans, he much prefers his own bucket of food on the bank, next to a bucket of water to wash it down with. Perhaps he's a little spoilt, but being the oldest swan, he certainly needs a bit more care and attention.

When you're next visiting Leeds Castle look out for Pickles, he's easily spotted by his loud honking call and his comical run towards his favourite member of staff, Hannah, who he seems to have taken a special liking to from the first day he arrived. He can often be seen having cuddles with her throughout the day.

The Leeds Castle staff would like to wish a big 'Happy 30th Birthday' to Pickles, the feathered King of the Castle!

All charitable income raised from admission tickets goes back into the running and preservation of Leeds Castle and its estate and the continued support of visitors has never been more vital for the survival of this magnificent heritage attraction.

Please visit www.leeds-castle.com to pre-book your tickets and check current opening times and prices. Leeds Castle is located near Maidstone in Kent just off Junction 8 of the M20 and only one hour's drive from London.

Your Pets Daily - wildlife

Top 5 UK locations to spot wild sharks, turtles and dolphins 2021

Category

Tags

Pickles the Leeds Castle Swan Turns 30!

Category

Tags