More people flocking to East Yorkshire to watch wildlife

Here in Beverley, we have always known how truly blessed we are with the stunning East Yorkshire coast, beautiful places to watch wildlife and views to admire right on our doorstep. It now looks like the word is starting to spread – recent research commissioned by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust shows the number of visits to East Yorkshire reserves by wildlife watchers has more than doubled in the last eight years. 

In their research, Leeds Beckett University also revealed the value of wildlife watching trips on East Yorkshire’s economy has increased from £9 million to £24 million a year. This brings a welcome boost to our local tourism businesses who are encouraged to showcase what they and the region can offer to this growing group of visitors. Many people pass through our rolling countryside in a bid to reach popular beach resorts like Bridlington and Filey, especially in the summer. However, wildlife watching attractions and reserves across East Yorkshire are flourishing - drawing more visitors who enjoy bird watching, walking and exploring the coast throughout the year. 

The findings reflect the national trend of more people making trips to watch wildlife but visitor numbers have doubled at reserves where wonderful new visitor facilities have opened in the last few years. This includes RSPB’s Bempton Cliffs where gannets are set to return this month, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s friendly and family orientated Living Seas Centre at Flamborough and Yorkshire Water’s Tophill Low with its heated hide serving hot drinks. 

Sir Gary Verity DL, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, added: “This is wonderful news for East Yorkshire and it’s no surprise that this stunning part of the county, with its beautiful unspoilt beaches, picturesque landscape and impressive wildlife, is attracting such a significant increase in tourists. The boost received by local businesses in the area, as a result of the growing number of people visiting, is hugely encouraging and great for the morale and continuing success of the region’s tourism service providers.”

A toolkit for businesses to download to help them promote the wildlife and wild places of East Yorkshire, as well as details of wildlife you can watch locally is available at www.yorkshirenaturetrainagle.org.uk

Photo courtesy Martin Batt