{"id":28214,"date":"2023-06-01T15:29:22","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T13:29:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/?post_type=purple_issue&p=28214"},"modified":"2023-06-01T18:28:23","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T16:28:23","slug":"the-nations-favourite-place-for-wildlife","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/2023\/06\/01\/the-nations-favourite-place-for-wildlife\/","title":{"rendered":"The nation’s favourite place for wildlife"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"
Wild, rich waters bubble through Scaur Glen <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

The Nation’s Favourite Place for Wildlife<\/h2>\n\n

THE RESULTS<\/span><\/h5>\n\n
\n\n

In January, BBC Wildlife magazine <\/em>celebrated its 60th birthday. To mark this special milestone, we asked 60 people from our wonderful network of conservationists, writers, presenters and photographers to share their favourite places for wildlife in the UK. The array of locations up and down the country \u2013 from lofty hills to spectacular seas \u2013 were then put to a public vote. With the results in and counted, we can now reveal the nation\u2019s favourite place for wildlife. Drum roll, please… <\/p>\n\n

The 10 regional finalists <\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Scotland: Scaur Glen, Dumfriesshire<\/span> <\/strong>(above)<\/h4>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Juliet Vickery, BTO<\/span><\/strong> <\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Scaur rises in Polskeoch on the Southern Upland Way, bubbles through moorland, meanders through pasture and tumbles through woodland to Penpont. I spent three summers here for my PhD; 35 years later, summer still draws me back.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

Wales: RSPB Ynys-hir, Ceredigion<\/strong><\/span> <\/strong><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
The grass snake \u2013 one of many wild stars at RSPB Ynis-hir<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Martin Hughes-Games, BBC presenter <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cOf all the places I visited in my 10 years co-presenting Springwatch, <\/em>this is the most memorable. The scenery is spectacular, and every day I was plunged into a world teeming with wildlife, including, to name a few stars, otters, hen harriers and grass snakes.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Northern Ireland: The Causeway Coast <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Summer brings basking sharks to Northern Ireland\u2019s seas <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Tara Shine, environmental scientist and science communicator <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Causeway Coast is a wild place of outstanding natural beauty, with dunes, cliffs and, of course, the amazing rock formations of the Giant\u2019s Causeway. I\u2019ve spent some of my most memorable days exploring the sea here \u2013 it enthralls every time.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

Yorkshire: Rodley Nature Reserve, Leeds <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Dragons and damsels abound at Rodley Nature Reserve <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Nominated by <\/em>Pam Taylor, British Dragonfly Society <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cNestled between Horsforth and the River Aire, Rodley is a dragonfly and damselfly hotspot on the edge of the city. At least 18 species have been recorded here.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

The North: Winter Hill, Greater Manchester <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Spot lapwings and more at Manchester\u2019s Winter Hill <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Nominated by <\/em>Anita Sethi, nature writer <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhen I climb to the summit of Winter Hill, I feel like I\u2019m on top of the world. The site, managed by The Wodland Trust, is being restored and revitalised with tree-planting galore. Wildlife to look out for includes cuckoos, deer and common lizards.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

The Midlands: RSPB Middleton Lakes, Staffordshire <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Lucy Lapwing, naturalist <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cHidden between the urban stretches of Tamworth and Birmingham, this patch of rustling reedbeds and stretching skies has become a place of learning and escape. The hours spent absorbing wild things here are consistently uplifting.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

London: Wimbledon Common, south-west London <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"\/
An estimated 17 badger setts can be found on Wimbledon Common <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Jini Reddy, author and journalist <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cWimbledon Common is a favourite wild place in all seasons and provides a marvellous green lung for Londoners. I particularly love Queensmere Pond. <\/span><\/p>\n\n

Shrouded by woods, at noon on a blue-sky day, it\u2019s a tranquil sun-trap with the feel of a far more remote wilderness.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

The South West: The Isles of Scilly, Cornwall <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
Atlantic grey seals are a common sight around the Isles of Scilly <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n

Nominated by <\/em>Lucy McRobert, author and communications manager at IOS Wildlife Trust <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cFrom windswept winters to sunkissed summer days, life on the Atlantic edge is ever-changing. I\u2019ve been at sea surrounded by shearwaters, skuas and storm petrels, I\u2019ve watched humpbacks on Christmas Eve, and twice a year, I\u2019m treated to an array of migrant birds, from hoopoes to bee-eaters.\u201d <\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

The South East: St Catherine\u2019s Hill Nature Reserve, Hampshire <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Chris Packham, BBC presenter <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u201cI bounded up these slopes in 1966, looking for rabbits and stoats. In 1986, I chased kestrels for a BBC film; in 1996 I climbed to the top to combat a bout of depression. I trudged to the summit again in 2016 with my poodle, Scratchy, just before he died, and again last year to honour my late father. St Catherine\u2019s Hill has made and saved my life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

The East: Canvey Wick Nature Reserve, Essex <\/strong><\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"\/
For wildflowers and rare insects, head to Canvey Wick <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Karim Vahed, Buglife<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

\u201cSitting in the corner of Canvey Island, Canvey Wick is home to a phenomenal variety of invertebrates. It\u2019s one of the best places in Britain for endangered insects, home to rarities such as the shrill carder bee and scarce emerald damselfly.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

\n\n

Overall Winner: The nation\u2019s favourite place for wildlife<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n

The Causeway Coast <\/strong><\/h4>\n\n
\"\"
The Causeway Coast is an iconic, spectacular \u2013 and favourite \u2013 wild place in the UK <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n

Nominated by<\/em> Tara Shine <\/strong><\/p>\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m absolutely delighted that the Causeway Coast has been voted the UK\u2019s favourite place for wildlife. It\u2019s where I grew my passion for the environment into a career, so I have a deep connection to this landscape. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cThe Causeway Coast is a place of outstanding natural beauty, with wild dunes, sheer cliffs and, of course, the magnificent rock formations of the Giant\u2019s Causeway. It\u2019s a coastline to meander along by land or by sea, always keeping an eye out for whales, dolphins, seals and basking sharks. <\/p>\n\n

\u201cWhile studying at Ulster University, I spent some of my most memorable days near, in and under the water here, catching waves off the sandy beach at Portrush, snorkelling with curious grey seals, and scuba-diving off the Skerries and below the dramatic cliffs of Rathlin Island, where I glided over stony reefs with dogfish and among shipwrecks with conger eels. Exploring from the sea gives a special view into the natural world and enthralls every time.<\/span><\/p>\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

\u201cI hope more people can experience the natural wonders of this little-known gem, and support local efforts to protect and enhance it. You will find peace, an abundance of wildlife and a warm welcome from those people who call it home.\u201d Tara Shine, environmental scientist and science communicator <\/em><\/p>\n\n

\n\n

The Finalists Mapped <\/h4>\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

See all 60 locations nominated by our experts at<\/strong> discoverwildlife.com\/60faves<\/a> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

<\/p>\n\n

RSPB Ynis-hir SEAL: BAREFOOT PHOTOGRAPHER; SCAUR GLEN: ERNIE JANES\/ALAMY; FOUR-SPOTTED CHASER: PAM TAYLOR; LAPWING: GARY CHALKER\/GETTY; GRASS SNAKE: GETTY; CANVEY WICK: GORDON SCAMMELL\/ALAMY; BADGER: DAMIAN KUZDAK\/GETTY; GIANTS CAUSEWAY: BRAD MCGINLEY\/GETTY; BASKING SHARK: GERARD SOURY\/GETTY<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In January, BBC Wildlife magazine celebrated its 60th birthday. To mark this special milestone, we asked 60 people from our wonderful network of conservationists, writers, presenters and photographers to share their favourite places for wildlife in the UK. The array of locations up and down the country \u2013 from lofty hills to spectacular seas \u2013 were then put to a public vote. With the results in and counted, we can now reveal the nation\u2019s favourite place for wildlife. Drum roll, please… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":28203,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ub_ctt_via":"","purple_page_number":"50","purple_custom_meta_purple_page_number":"50","purple_seq_number":"1","purple_custom_meta_purple_seq_number":"1","purple_source_article":"article_50-1.xml","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_article":"article_50-1.xml","purple_source_issue":"June-2023","purple_custom_meta_purple_source_issue":"June-2023","purple_external_id":"June-2023-50-1","purple_custom_meta_purple_external_id":"June-2023-50-1","purple_issue_code":"|0000087245||","purple_custom_meta_purple_issue_code":"|0000087245||","purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.505","purple_custom_meta_purple_android_product":"com.im.wildlife.505","purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.505","purple_custom_meta_purple_ios_product":"com.im.wildlife.505","purple_web_product":"","purple_custom_meta_purple_web_product":"","purple_publication_id":"58d61955-0ac4-406c-83f1-ab6f21d86b70","purple_migrated":"","kt_blocks_editor_width":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"2023-05-30T10:22:58Z","apple_news_article-theme":"","apple_news_api_id":"7545f885-82fe-4484-90ba-d76bfddc87d8","apple_news_api_modified_at":"2023-06-01T13:54:08Z","apple_news_api_revision":"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEw==","apple_news_api_share_url":"https:\/\/apple.news\/AdUX4hYL-RISQutdr_dyH2A","apple_news_coverimage":0,"apple_news_coverimage_caption":"","apple_news_is_hidden":false,"apple_news_is_paid":true,"apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_sponsored":false,"apple_news_maturity_rating":"","apple_news_pullquote":"","apple_news_pullquote_position":"","apple_news_article_theme":"","apple_news_sections":"[]"},"categories":[27],"tags":[14],"apple_news_notices":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6","apple_news_title":""},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f.jpg",1082,863,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f-300x239.jpg",300,239,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f-768x613.jpg",768,613,true],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f-1024x817.jpg",800,638,true],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f.jpg",1082,863,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/44\/2023\/05\/804e67cc-c8e5-4cc3-ae90-e5136841988f.jpg",1082,863,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"In January, BBC Wildlife magazine celebrated its 60th birthday. To mark this special milestone, we asked 60 people from our wonderful network of conservationists, writers, presenters and photographers to share their favourite places for wildlife in the UK. The array of locations up and down the country \u2013 from lofty hills to spectacular seas \u2013…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28214"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28214"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28214\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29083,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28214\/revisions\/29083"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28214"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28214"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28214"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}