As we say goodbye to winter, we’re looking forward to everything that the emerging spring season brings with it; sunnier days, warming temperatures, blossoming flowers, longer evenings, and new wildlife. The North Yorkshire Moors will soon be alive with the joys of springtime such as daffodils, snowdrops, birdsong and much more, and we can’t wait to share those delights with our guests.
Finding Flora: Blossoming Flowers in the North Yorkshire Moors this Spring
With spring upon us, we’ll soon be seeing the blooming flora of the North Yorkshire Moors, including the glorious sights of snowdrops, bluebells, and daffodils.
The sunny disposition of daffodils can be the first real sign of spring for many. Their bright yellow flowers cheer up and transform areas in an instant. The best place to visit in Yorkshire to see thousands of wild daffodils lining the riverbank is Farndale, where visitors can enjoy a free spring walk in the North York Moors National Park. Daffodils also line the woodland paths of Thorp Perrow Arboretum, and stunning spring flower displays can be found at York Museum Gardens.
Another strong sign of spring is the sight of beautiful snow-white coloured snowdrops. Yorkshire is awash with over 2,500 species of snowdrop throughout February and early March. They can be found in most gardens and woodlands, as well as in National Trust properties like Fountains Abbey and Beningbrough Hall. Visitors to Kiplin Hall in Richmond can also embark upon Snowdrop Strolls in their gloriously colourful gardens.
Blooming from April into May, bluebells are another spring flower of choice, popping up all over woodlands throughout Yorkshire. Creating a beautiful image of a rich purple carpet, bluebells grow in ancient woodlands and any native bluebells in Yorkshire are protected – it’s illegal to pick or destroy them! Some of the best places to see blooming bluebells are Skipton Woods, Newton Woods and Oxenber Woods – the latter rewards a long upwards climb with sensational panoramic views of Ingleborough.
Finding Fauna: Wonderful Wildlife in the North Yorkshire Moors
Spring is the season for some new wildlife to enter the scene, with new lambs being born, hedgehogs coming out of hibernation, and March hares challenging each other toboxing matches.
It’s wonderful to see wild deer galloping across green grass after the cold winter months. It’s also the perfect time to see animalssuch as hedgehogs, dormice, bats and bees emerge from hibernation. As the weather gets warmer, they are all venturing out to forage for food and to mate, and beesbuzz around the spring flowers, sucking up nectar to replenish their depleted energy stores. If you’re looking to spot hedgehogs, dormice or bats, the best time of day to do this is the evening, as they’re all nocturnal creatures.
Many people may think that male March hares box each other to show off to their fair females, but it’s actually female hares boxing for the attention of male admirers! Whilst hares have become rarer in recent times, a good place to look out for them are bare spring fields that border forests.
Beautiful Birds Return to their Springtime Homes
As spring arrives in the North Yorkshire Moors, birds of all kinds begin to flock to their springtime homes after a winter spent keeping warm together.
Three of the region’s iconic wading birds make their arrival to the moorland in early spring – the curlew, the lapwing, and the golden plover. The lapwing displays spectacular acrobatic skills, such as folding, falling, and rising from within a whisker of the ground into a loop the loop triumph!
Goshawks and migrant birds lay claim to the forests and moorland of North Yorkshire,whilst over on the coast, kittiwakes, guillemots, razorbills, gannets and puffins make their arrival, having spent their winter out at sea. The moors are also home to the beautiful emperor moths in the springtime. These creatures with spectacular orange and yellow wings are often seen during the day, having emerged from cocoons with the warm spring sunshining.
Visitors to the moorlands can join expert guides from North York Moors Wildlife Tours for a memorable day out on a nature safari, with the chance to see some of the area’s most iconic wildlife.
Breathe in the Sweet Spring Air of the North Yorkshire Moors
As spring blossoms all around us, make sure you take a moment to really breathe in the sweet spring air of the North Yorkshire Moors. Light April showers combined with the warming sun on the ground release a distinctly earthy aroma, filling you with joy and hinting towards brighter days ahead. The scent of blossom, wildflowers and tree buds all bring back memories of sunny spring days… spring really is in the air!
Soak up the North Yorkshire Moors Springtime at Valley View Cottages
As spring begins to emerge this year, there’s no better place to enjoy the beauty of nature’s ever-changing landscape than Valley View Cottages. Nestled in Old Byland, near Hemsley, our cottages come complete with stunning views over the North Yorkshire Moors, making us the perfect retreat to unwind from busy, everyday life and soak up the glory of springtime. Book your springtime staycation with us today.
