Wildlife artist ROBERT E FULLER describes the wealth of wildlife in Yorkshire – some of it here in York.

WHEN TV cameras focused in on Yorkshire for the Tour de France earlier this year, viewers who didn’t know the county were astounded by the scenery.

Local people have long been describing Yorkshire as God’s Own County. But for me, it has not just earned this title because of the striking vistas of the Moors, Dales and Wolds; it’s because these great rolling landscapes are alive with nature.

As a wildlife artist, there are so many different species for me to study and paint here. There are birds hiding in every hedgerow, hares scampering across fields, and, by the coast, the cliffs are crowded with gannets and puffins.

This year, barn owls seem to have enjoyed a bumper breeding season in the region. One of the 150 boxes that I’ve put up around the Wolds has been particularly successful. The first clutch of six owlets were laid in time for Easter and the adult pair surprised me by going for a second clutch of three which are just about to fledge.

I’ve spotted more than 80 species of birds around my gallery at Thixendale. This spring I put CCTV cameras into kestrel and tawny owls nest boxes sited just down the road, so that I was able to watch the movements of these two species 24/7. I wanted to find out more about their courtship rituals, when the first egg was laid, the moment the first chick hatched out and when they fledged. It has been fascinating.

Meanwhile, latest figures from Yorkshire Red Kites confirm that there are now more than 100 breeding pairs of red kites in the county. Great news for a species that was largely absent from Yorkshire before a conservation project began to reintroduce them at Harewood House in 1999.

And this wildlife extravaganza is not just in the Yorkshire countryside. Even right in the centre of York, wildlife can be seen.

In the run up to Christmas when the streets are at their busiest, there is an explosion of activity as hundreds of pied wagtails gather in the London Plane trees right outside Marks and Spencers, drawn by the warmth generated by the city. I spotted them for the first time last year, while I was late night shopping with my wife.

These small black and white birds flit about overhead, chittering noisily and wagging their long tails before settling down to roost. At first glance they look like Christmas decorations hanging in the trees.

In fact, for those in the know, York is alive with the comings and goings of a variety of wild species.

The most impressive of which is a pair of peregrine falcons known to roost high up on the pinnacles of York Minster. These formidable birds of prey are the fastest in the world and can be seen stooping down at dizzying speeds of up to 250km/hr on to unsuspecting pigeons below – their favourite prey.

I had a fleeting glimpse of one of the peregrines as I came out of BBC Radio York’s studios, where I had been giving an interview. I saw a flock of pigeons flying erratically in the sky and lo and behold a peregrine was soaring above them.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, another winter wildlife hubbub accompanies the pre-Christmas rush.

During harsh winters, St George’s Field car park can be the centre of activity for a beautiful rose-buff coloured bird, native to Scandinavia called a waxwing.

These starling-sized birds with striking markings and a noticeable sweeping crest flock here to plunder the rowan berries that are planted around the site. If you have a pair of binoculars, you’ll soon see why the waxwing earned its name. Look out for the tear-shaped red droplet on their secondary flight wings which looks like dripping candle wax.

And to see more of what this county has to offer you don’t have to travel very far from the city centre. I’ve devoted a lifetime to watching wild creatures in their natural habitat.

Here are my tips to spot my top five favourite species close to York.

1.Red Kites

There is an established red kite winter roost at Nunburnholme on the Yorkshire Wolds. These birds of prey are unusually sociable and like to group together on winter nights, but just before they settle down they swoop and swirl through the air showing off some incredibly acrobatic movements.

2. Red Stag Rut, Studley Royal

Red Stags are tussling to win the affections of hinds now in their annual rut. It’s exciting, dramatic and set in beautiful parkland dotted with ancient sweet chestnut, beech and oak trees.

3. Otters at Tophill Low Reserve, Driffield

Otters are regularly seen at Tophill Low Reserve, nr Driffield, especially from the Southern Marsh hides. Look out for their wake in open water or a row of bubbles which often gives the game away. Listen too for their high-pitched birdlike calls. You can also see massive flocks of black headed gulls, kingfishers and marsh harriers here too.

4. Waterfowl at Wheldrake Ings

Choose a crisp sunny afternoon in winter to see the whirling spectacle of thousands of teal, wigeon, golden plover, and lapwing flying in dramatic formations over flooded meadows. The sights, sounds and colours here are magical. I especially like the whistling call of the wigeon. Stay until dusk when whooper swans fly in to roost on the floodwater.

5. Kingfishers at Howsham, Nr Malton

Look out for kingfishers along the footpath that follows the river Derwent between Howsham Bridge and Kirkham Abbey. Listen out for a high pitched call as kingfishers whizz up and down stream. It’s worth visiting after the leaves have fallen off the trees as you get better views of the river. Look out too for barn owls, goosanders, bullfinches and redpolls feeding on alders close by.

Robert E Fuller is holding an art exhibition of Yorkshire wildlife at his gallery in Thixendale. “My Yorkshire – an artist’s perspective’ runs from November 8th to 30th. Bird watching walks to see red kites and barn owls, talks and wildlife photography workshops will accompany the event. For details see www.robertefuller.com