This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK).
In the face of notable bird population losses and a rising interest in birdwatching from younger generations, the UK’s travel industry has responded. Now at the heart of Europe’s birdwatching scene, many boutique hotels around the country have begun to share information about birds on site and offer equipment such as binoculars and bird books, as well as activities and nature walks. What was once a niche travel interest is now an additional experience, which all kinds of guests can use to connect with the outdoors. From watching red-crowned cranes in Hokkaido to observing Brighton’s famous starling murmuration, here are some of the best birdwatching experiences to try around the world.
1. Skomer Island, Wales
Just off the Pembrokeshire coast, Skomer hosts thousands of puffins from April to July. It gets busy with day-trippers, but overnight guests have the island to themselves. Skomer Island Hostel, converted from the barn of an abandoned farmstead, offers simple accommodation. At dusk, the calls of manx shearwaters returning to their burrows create an unforgettable natural symphony.
How to do it: Stays at Skomer Island Hostel start from £55 per person.
Puffins are one of the draws at some RSPB nature reserves, including Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire and Sumburgh Head in Shetland. Photograph by Mark Stewart, Alamy
2. Yorkshire Dales, England
Broughton Sanctuary near Skipton has transformed over 740 acres of heavily grazed pasture into a thriving ecosystem in just five years; all five species of British owl are now present. The rewilding project has recently introduced two beavers, creating wetland habitats that attract even more birdlife. The sanctuary offers free guided ‘nature recovery’ tours and specialist wildlife courses, while the 18.5-mile Odyssey Trail allows independent exploration. In-between birdwatching, try the woodland sauna and wild swimming in a natural pond.
How to do it: A three-night stay in a one-bedroom cottage sleeping two at Broughton Sanctuary starts from £520.
3. Brighton, England
For a spectacular urban birdwatching experience, Brighton’s famous starling murmurations offer one of nature’s most mesmerising displays. From November to February, thousands of starlings gather at dusk, swirling in coordinated patterns above the Victorian pier before roosting for the night. The displays are at their most impressive in midwinter, when native birds are joined by migrants from colder parts of Europe. Stay at No 124 by GuestHouse for sea views and sumptuous interiors. Some rooms even come with binoculars.
How to do it: Doubles at No 124 by GuestHouse start from £200.
4. Yala National park, Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka’s southern coast is home to some of the island’s most diverse wildlife, including leopards, elephants, crocodiles, sloth bears and many species of bird. One of the best places to see it all is Wild Coast Tented Lodge, which borders Yala National Park. Canvas tented accommodation here comes with four-poster beds, freestanding copper bathtubs and panoramic jungle views. Each stay includes game drives with expert rangers, who help spot endemic animals like the Sri Lankan junglefowl, Sri Lanka grey hornbill and crimson-fronted barbet among the park’s 215 bird species.
How to do it: One night at Wild Coast Tented Lodge starts at US$957 (£720), all inclusive, including a guided game drive per night stay.
Yala National Park is a haven for all kinds of birdlife. Photograph by Sallyrango, Getty Images
Red-crowned cranes are a highlight of Hokkaido. Photograph by DoctorEgg, Getty Images
5. Hokkaido, Japan
Eastern Hokkaido offers one of winter’s most spectacular birdwatching experiences, with two remarkable species: red-crowned cranes performing elaborate mating dances against snowy landscapes, and colossal Steller’s sea eagles swooping for fish. Base yourself at the Yoroushi Onsen, where Japan’s rarest owl (the Blakiston’s fish-owl) visits the pond most evenings. After a day outdoors, guests can rejuvenate in traditional hot spring baths.
How to do it: Doubles at the Yoroushi Onsen start from ¥18,000 (£96), half board.
6. Isle of Sheppey, England
Elmley is a 3,300-acre reserve on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, renowned for breeding waders including curlews and lapwings. What makes this family-owned estate so special is the chance to stay overnight in the reserve itself in accommodation ranging from bell tents to traditional shepherd’s huts. Dawn and dusk are particularly magical, with one of the largest marsh harrier roosts in the country providing spectacular displays as you roast marshmallows or enjoy an outdoor bath.
How to do it: Two-night stay in a bell tent at Elmley from £340, self-catering.
7. Folegandros, Greece
This lesser-known Cycladic island between Paros and Santorini is home to Gundari, a luxury escape set within a reserve protecting the endangered Bonelli’s eagle and rare Eleonora’s falcon, which has a global population of under 20,000. The resort runs seasonal bird monitoring programmes that guests can actively participate in, including volunteer surveillance expeditions to nearby islets, measuring nestling growth and educational hikes with conservation experts. There’s lots to explore nearby, too, including clifftop hikes, boat tours and beach-front tavernas.
How to do it: Rooms at Gundari start from £385, B&B.
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