A Yorkshire Guide to Wildlife
Here in Yorkshire, it’s not quite like All Creatures Great & Small, despite what people on planes think. Aye, we’ve got cows, sheep, chickens and pigs… but we’ve also got creatures that don’t feature on postcards, animals that operate with criminal intent, and a few species that haven’t yet been named because no one’s been brave enough to get close.
Yorkshire isn’t just home to tea, flat caps and weather that could humble a Viking.
It’s home to wildlife that’s equal parts majestic, hilarious and—occasionally—dangerous to your packed lunch.
Here’s my very honest, very Yorkshire guide to the animals you’ll meet, where to find them, and what they’re probably thinking about you.
The Yorkshire Seagull
Found: Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington… basically anywhere fish & chips exist.
These aren’t seagulls. These are armoured sky-bastards with a 100-inch wingspan and the attitude of someone who’s just been refused entry to Wetherspoons. Steroid-looking, tattooed-leg energy, descended from pterodactyls and pure evil.
They can open a chip tray faster than a surgeon on double pay.
What they say:
“Nice fish and chips, mate. Shame if someone… nicked em as I'm gonna.”
Top tip:
Eat indoors. Lock the door. Close the blinds. Backup recommended.
The Sheep
Found: The Dales, the Moors, and stood in the road like debt collectors.
Yorkshire sheep are hard as nails.
Weatherproof. Stubborn. Seen things no sheep should have to see.
They’ll stand in the centre of the road like they’re holding a protest. They won’t move for cars, tractors, the police, or the threat of being on someone’s Sunday dinner.
What they say:
“Move? No. You move.”
Top tip:
Avoid eye contact. If you lock eyes, you’ve already lost.
The Highland Cooooo (Yes, We Have Them Here)
Found: Farms across the Dales and Moors.
Fluffy. Photogenic. Magnificent.
Also fully capable of launching you into deep space if you get too close.
People say, “Awww look at that face!”
The cow says, “Come one step closer, sunshine. Go on. Dare ya.”
Top tip:
If you find yourself alone in a field with one—don’t run.
Stand still, slowly open the Amazon app, and order new underwear.
The Red Kite
Found: Harewood, Wetherby, Leeds outskirts… basically everywhere.
Graceful. Elegant. Wings like a glider.
And absolutely prepared to mug you for your ham butty.
They have talons forged from Sheffield steel and a flight path aimed directly at whatever you’re eating.
What they say:
“Nice sandwich. Hand it over or I’ll pluck your eyeballs like grapes.”
Top tip:
If one is circling, it’s not admiring the scenery.
It's planning a heist.
The Grouse
Found: The Moors.
You don’t see them—you survive them.
They erupt from the heather like feathered hand grenades, screaming their war cry at roughly 820 decibels.
What they say:
“HEEERRRRP.” (At a volume that ages you.)
Top tip:
If you survive one flying out of the ground at you, congrats—you are now officially local.
The Mole
Found: Under your perfectly kept and manicured lawn. Never next door’s jungle.
You’ll never see the mole, but oh you’ll know its presence. Your lawn becomes a mole-themed visitor centre overnight.
What they say:
“Nice grass. Shame if someone… rearranged it.”
Top tip:
Accept the mole. You are no longer the homeowner. The mole is.
The Badger – The Black & White Bandit
Found: Woods, lanes, your bins, usually at 2am.
They move like nightclub bouncers—slow, powerful, and utterly unbothered by your existence.
What they say:
“Touch my bin and we’ll have words.”
Top tip:
Retreat. Quietly. That bin belongs to them now.
The Pheasant
Found: Country lanes, bushes, the direct centre of the road.
Beautiful birds with the brainpower of damp lettuce.
They sprint into traffic like they’ve accepted their fate.
What they say:
“Ooooh look—a car! Let me introduce myself to it.”
Top tip:
Slow down. Hope for the best. They don’t know what they’re doing either.
The Curlew
Found: Moors, marshes, coast.
A haunting, mystical bird whose call sounds like it’s sobbing for the Victorian era.
What they say:
“OooooooOOOOoooo…”
Top tip:
If you hear one at dusk, congratulations—you’ve unlocked a core Yorkshire memory.
The Adder
Found: Moors, heathland, sunny paths (on the two days of summer).
Yorkshire’s only venomous snake.
They’re shy… and I’m not daft enough to go hunting them.
What they say:
“Is it warm enough? No. Back to sleep.”
Top tip:
Do. Not. Poke.
Back away. Slowly. Order more underwear.
Final Wildlife Advice
If you’re visiting Yorkshire, always bring:
A camera
A sense of humour
Food stored in gull-proof, army-grade containers
Boots
A first aid kit
Binoculars
A backup pair of trousers
A tank (optional, but helpful)
And the ability to shout “LOOK AT THAT!” at random birds
Yorkshire wildlife is tough, daft, stubborn, loud, proud, sneaky, beautiful and occasionally terrifying— just like Yorkshire itself.