Coastal wildlife of the North York Moors
Our Guide to Coastal wildlife of the North York Moors covers 25 miles of North Yorkshire coast, from Staithes in the north to Cloughton Wyke near Scarborough in the south, including Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay.
Coverage extends from the coast path to around three miles out to sea. There are over 70 species to spot, from sea mammals and shore birds to crabs, fish, snails and seaweeds in rockpools. But that’s not all. Many cliff tops remain wild and uncultivated, with rough grassland and small wooded valleys, with lots of plants and insects now scarce elsewhere.
Much of this coastline forms the eastern edge of the North York Moors National Park. Established in 1952, the national park covers over 550 square miles of upland, coast, forest and dale. The coast path is part of the Cleveland Way National Trail and the England Coast Path. This stretch is also part of the Jurassic Yorkshire Coast. Look out for dinosaur footprints and other common fossils, including ammonites, belemnites, bivalves and crinoids. Why not visit Whitby Museum to find out more.
A guide to Moorland wildlife of the North York Moors is also available.
Coastal wildlife of the North York Moors was produced in partnership with Whitby Naturalists’ Club and supported by Route YC.
Our North York Moors field guide measures 24.5cmx17.5cm and is extremely lightweight and compact, and the perfect coastal wildlife identification chart for popping in your bag when heading to the North York Moors coast. All wildlife identification guides are laminated, meaning they are showerproof for use outside. and can be wiped clean.
