🐦 A Day on Safari in the North York Moors with Yorkshire Coast Nature
At Cliff House Holiday Cottages, we’re lucky to live and work in one of the most naturally rich areas in the country. And every now and then, it’s good to step outside our own gardens and see the landscape through someone else’s expert eyes.
Last week, Alastair spent the day with Steve Race from Yorkshire Coast Nature on a one-to-one North York Moors Bird Safari — and it didn’t disappoint.
Starting the day with breakfast at Graze on the Green in Rosedale (and yes, a slice of cake may have found its way home), the route through the Moors was filled with spring life. With Steve’s help, Alastair was able to spot nesting lapwings and their chicks, along with the unmistakable call and elegant form of curlews — a personal favourite.
The North York Moors are a special place at this time of year. Wide skies, quiet valleys and a landscape full of subtle movement — from ground-nesting birds to darting skylarks and the flash of brown hares in distant fields. It’s a reminder of just how much life surrounds us, even when the scenery seems still.
Steve’s deep knowledge and enthusiasm made the day more than just a walk through the Moors. It was an education in quiet observation, habitat protection, and the importance of looking after the land — values we hold close here at Cliff House.
Back at base, we’ve brought a little bit of that inspiration home. The lapwings and curlews from the day are now featured in some of our photography prints, and they’re a reminder that the wild isn’t far — it’s right on our doorstep.
If you’re staying with us and looking for a deeper experience of the North York Moors, we’d thoroughly recommend booking a session with Yorkshire Coast Nature. Whether you’re a keen birder or just curious, it’s a great way to experience the Moors at their best.
📸 If you’re out walking near our cottages, you might spot birds like curlews, lapwings or even marsh tits. Our gardens and Wishing Well Wood are a quiet haven for birds too — you don’t always need to go far.
And if you’re heading out for a safari of your own, we’re always happy to suggest routes and local spots to keep your eyes (and ears) open for.
