Wildlife watching recommendations for a trip

[Indecisivelurcher]

Hello nature lovers of Mumsnet! My sister and I have started to take one/two night trips once a year to do something wildlifey. So far we've been to the rewilded farm in Knepp and we've been to see puffins in Pembrokeshire. We don't know what to do next though! We would welcome suggestions!

One I'm wondering about is red squirrels, long on my list having failed to see any on the Isle of Wight or in Scotland, twice.

I was about to say red squirrels. We went to the hide in Aberfoyle in Scotland, and thoroughly enjoyed watching them and the multitude of birds that come to the feeders there.

How about Exmoor. Red deer on the moor and the most amazing dark skies.

It won't let me edit to add the link, but we went here: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/forest-parks/queen-elizabeth-forest-park/the-lodge-forest-visitor-centre

Jersey for choughs and ravens? The north coast is nice for walks. I've only been in summer though!

A good website for wildlife and lovely places to visit. I set it to red squirrels for you.

www.wildlifetrusts.org/where_to_see_red_squirrels

Where are you based?

What kind of animals or birds do you want to see?

You might have to give more info here.

Are you members of the RSPB? They have a map of all reserves in their website.

Absolutely loved seeing the knapdale beavers. They also have red squirrels at the reserve and pine martens. We also saw a Golden Eagle and the white tailed Eagles.

Should you want to venture back to Wight, America Wood is good for red squirrels. I saw them along the old railway line footpath on the southern side here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/tYRw6dxRefgWGD2q8 not loads but a pair jumping between the oak trees, in early September.

Bempton cliffs for sea birds including puffins, it's an amazing place. Early summer is best time I think but check.
Donna Nook n.Lincs for seals and baby seals, October and November
Ardnamurchan area in Scotland for pine martens and red deer. Some local guest houses get pine martens visiting their gardens
Cetacean watching off the coast of Mull

Badger watching at various places, Google will tell you where
Go on local wildlife trust websites for seasonal events such as bat walks, fungi foraging, butterfly spotting etc

Farne Islands for puffins etc. Nearby Chillingham wild cattle.

Peak District Wildlife Park for polar bears.

Gloucestershire, so Scotland and IoW are difficult TBF, this is just one night or two max away from kids and homes commitments. We don't have a specific list but I would reel off from top of head, red squirrels, pine martin, beaver, otter, golden eagle, spoonbills, purple emperor butterfly, hawkmoths, temperate rainforest remnants, heath, landscape scale nature restoration projects not just specific individual species.

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/norfolk/blakeney-national-nature-reserve/seal-watching-at-blakeney-point

Seal watching at. Blakeney point,

Bedgebury pinetum

https://www.forestryengland.uk/bedgebury

Maybe attend one of their guided walks?

There's so much in the South West within a couple of hours of you!

Avalon marshes in Somerset, go in Jan for big numbers of wintering ducks and the starling murmuration. Don't need a guide but there's plenty available in the area if you want one.

Otterton in Devon for the beavers, early summer. The restoration area between there and budleigh salterton good for a wander during the day. There's one individual that's known for being fairly unbothered by people and is easy to see.

Forest of dean for boar and pine Marten, but book a tour/hide or you'll just have a disappointing walk around the woods.

Purbeck, Arne and Poole harbour especially in spring for just brilliant habitats, but also Dartford warblers, sea eagles, waders, big landscapes.

Kimridge bay or lulworth for snorkeling in summer.

New Forest for nightjar in summer.

Salisbury plains for bustards (book a tour) and stone curlew. Two of the UK's weirdest birds.

Second vote for Arne nature reserve in Dorset. Brownsea Island for red squirrels and fantastic boat trip in Poole Harbour where we saw ospreys and whitetailed eagles, book through Birds of Poole Harbour.

Exe estuary in Devon is also great for waders and ospreys in the autumn, also marsh harriers, curlew, avocets, lapwings etc etc. Seaton Wetlands also in Devon. Ham Wall RSPB reserve in Somerset.

There are red squirrels on Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour which would be doable for you. It's not 100% guaranteed sightings though.

Flamborough head for puffins and then hop up to Whitby for a whale watching tour.
I know Scotland is a bit far but if you ever get the chance stay near Chanory point and watch the dolphins. We also saw golden eagles near there.

Tresco Abbey Gardens has red squirrels on Isles of Scilly, very easy to spot, visit the cafe and just behind it.

Puffins also on Farne Island and various Scottish locations

Isle of Skye had eagles

Seals horsey in Dec with the pups.

Trentham Monkey Forest?

@moggo I heard bittern at Ham Wall earlier this year!

@Cluelessasacucumber I'd love to see a nightjar - is that even possible as a non serious birder?!

Watatunga is amazing in Norfolk and could potentially be paired with another suggestion (eg Blakeney to see seals)

Thank you for all the ace suggestions!