Wildlife spot
Scaling Dam Reservoir
A big sheet of open water on the northern moor edge, right beside the A171 between Whitby and Guisborough. With a bird hide and an easy stop-off for anyone driving the moor road.
What you might see
Wildfowl and waders, best in autumn and winter when numbers build. A sailing club uses the water as well, so expect boats on breezy weekends.
Getting there and parking
There is a car park directly off the A171, which makes it one of the easiest wildlife stops in the park. Classic-car parking is owner-to-confirm and campervan suitability unconfirmed. Nearest fuel is Whitby or Guisborough.
Access
Partly step-free from the car park towards the hide. Dog-friendliness is unconfirmed, keep dogs on leads near the water and away from roosting birds.
Nearby
It sits neatly on a drive between Whitby and the northern moors, see the wildlife guide for what to look for month by month. Details verified August 2026.
Map and how to get there
- Area
- A171 (northern moor edge)
- Coordinates
- 54.5030, -0.8840
- Parking
- Off-road parking available, Owner to confirm (car park off the A171)
- Nearest fuel
- Whitby or Guisborough
- Access
- Partly step-free from the car park off the A171; the going to the hide is level but unsurfaced in places.
More to see nearby
Wildlife spot
Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint
Wykeham Forest (Pickering–Scarborough)
Late winter for displaying goshawk; summer for honey buzzard.
Wildlife spot
Forge Valley National Nature Reserve
West Ayton (near Scarborough)
Not season-specific in our notes — woodland birds use the feeders year-round.
Wildlife spot
Fen Bog nature reserve
Newtondale, near Goathland
Late spring into summer, when dragonflies and butterflies are on the wing.
Wildlife spot
Ravenscar — seals & clifftop
Ravenscar (coast)
Seals year-round; grey seals pup in November and common seals in summer.
Nearby guide
Whitby
Half an hour east along the A171 for the harbour and the abbey.
Nearby guide
Classic car driving routes
The A171 moor road is one of the best drives in the park.
Nearby guide
Wildlife of the North York Moors
What to look for across the park, month by month.