Best Places for Wildlife Photography in North Yorkshire

Best Locations for Wildlife Photography in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is one of Britain’s finest Locations for wildlife photography. From dramatic seabird cliffs and peaceful wetlands to ancient woodland and rolling countryside, the county offers photographers incredible opportunities throughout every season.

Whether you’re hoping to photograph kingfishers, deer, owls, puffins or birds of prey, North Yorkshire provides an ever-changing landscape full of photographic opportunities. Here are some of my favourite locations that continue to inspire my photography.

1. RSPB Bempton Cliffs

If you enjoy bird photography, few places compare with RSPB Bempton Cliffs. During spring and early summer the towering chalk cliffs become home to around half a million seabirds, including Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes. Multiple viewing platforms make it one of the UK’s premier wildlife photography destinations.

Best photographed:

• Puffins
• Northern Gannets
• Guillemots
• Razorbills
• Fulmars
• Kittiwakes

Best months: April – July

2. Staveley Nature Reserve

Hidden away in North Yorkshire, Staveley Nature Reserve offers peaceful wetlands, reedbeds and woodland habitats that attract an incredible variety of wildlife throughout the year. It is particularly rewarding for patient photographers looking for natural behaviour and quieter surroundings. The reserve is also used for wildlife photography workshops thanks to its rich biodiversity.

Species often photographed

• Kingfisher
• Little Grebe
• Heron
• Roe Deer
• Dragonflies
• Waterfowl

Best months: All year

3. Studley Royal Deer Park

Studley Royal Deer Park is one of my favourite places to photograph wildlife in North Yorkshire. The ancient parkland is home to Red, Fallow and Sika Deer, while the surrounding woodland and river provide excellent opportunities for photographing woodland birds and seasonal landscapes.

Best photographed

• Red Deer
• Fallow Deer
• Sika Deer
• Nuthatches
• Great Spotted Woodpeckers
• Woodland scenery

4. North York Moors

The North York Moors National Park provides vast open landscapes and moorland habitats rich in wildlife. Heather-clad hills attract Red Grouse, Curlew, Lapwing, Merlin and Short-eared Owls, while woodland valleys support woodland birds and mammals.

Photographers will find different opportunities in every season.

5. Yorkshire Countryside

Some of the best wildlife photographs are taken close to home.

Quiet country lanes, hedgerows, rivers, farmland and ancient woodland around North Yorkshire regularly produce memorable encounters with:

• Barn Owls
• Kestrels
• Sparrowhawks
• Kingfishers
• Foxes
• Hares
• Roe Deer

Many of my favourite images have been captured simply by spending time observing local wildlife and returning to the same locations throughout the seasons.

Tips for Successful Wildlife Photography

Successful wildlife photography isn’t just about having expensive equipment.

Some simple habits will improve your results:

• Visit early in the morning.
• Learn animal behaviour.
• Return to the same location regularly.
• Respect wildlife and keep your distance.
• Work with natural light.
• Be patient.

Many of my favourite photographs have come after hours of waiting for the perfect moment.

Discover More Wildlife Photography

If you’d like to see photographs taken at these wonderful locations, browse my galleries and discover the wildlife of North Yorkshire through my lens.

Final Thoughts

North Yorkshire is a remarkable county for wildlife photography. From the spectacular seabird colonies of Bempton Cliffs to the peaceful wetlands of Staveley Nature Reserve and the ancient deer park at Studley Royal, every location offers something unique.

For me, the greatest reward is not simply capturing beautiful photographs but spending time immersed in nature and witnessing wildlife behaving naturally. Every visit offers something different, which is why I continue to return to these incredible places throughout the year.

I hope this guide inspires you to explore North Yorkshire and discover your own favourite wildlife photography locations.

Happy photographing!

— J P Watson Photography