Bird watching and the River Mersey
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LIFE ON THE EDGE - BEMPTON CLIFFS
Another year, another birdwatching community, another seabird heaven - RSPB Bempton Cliffs, off the east coast of Yorkshire near to the coastal town of Bridlington. More than 200,000 birds (from April to August) make the cliff there summer home. A home to England's largest seabird colony, including the largest number of breeding Gannets on the UK mainland. Eight species nest here in large numbers - Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars, Herring Gulls. Shags and like Farne the family favourite Puffins. The RSPB is managing the reserve for the benefit of all its wildlife, which also includes the seals and porpoises the live close to the cliffs. The RSPB reserve which attracts about 45,00 visitors every year, looks after 3.5miles of cliff-top footpath, and features 5 safe viewpoints Grandstand: 200 m from visitor centre, Bartlett Nab: 400 m from vc, Jubilee Corner: 900 m from vc, New Roll-up: 500 m from vc, and Staple Newk: 900m from vc, Only Grandstand is readily accessible by wheelchairs/pushchairs The coastal the path gives breathtaking views of the cliff top scenery and nesting birds.
Bempton isn't just about seabirds though; In spring Farmland birds such as skylarks, tree sparrows, linnets, meadow pipits, reed and corn buntings can be seen. Summer sees breeding tree sparrows, whitethroats, grasshopper warblers, sedge warblers, skylarks, linnets, reed buntings, rock and meadow pipits. The autumnal migration brings Short-eared owls, willow warblers, chiffchaffs, whitethroats, lesser whitethroats, reed warblers, sedge warblers, goldcrests, stonechats, whinchats, wheatears and redstarts. Scarce species occur annually such as red-backed shrikes, and barred and icterine warblers. October is peak time sees the arrival of redwings, blackbirds, song thrushes and fieldfares occur along with occasional ring ouzels. In the cliff top field you may be able to spot Brown Hares, Weasels and Stoats. Spring and Summer see the reserves wildflowers in full bloom attracting lots of bees and Butterflies such as Small coppers, red admirals and common blues.
Bempton's visitor facilities include picnic area, tiolets, a well stocked shop selling books, bird food and gifts, hot drinks, ice cream and biscuits. Something a little more substantial is provided by the Ethical Catering Outdoors co' who have a catering trailer in the car park from Wednesday - Sunday. Serving a range of hot and cold food and drinks including sandwiches, organic wholemeal pizza's, mixed bean soup or vegetable curry. Not to mention the devilishly good cakes and biscuits... There is a bird feeding station easily accessed, 50 m from visitor centre/car park.
And while your in the area, why not visit Flam borough Head
Just down the coast is Flamborough Head another rather nice place to spend a sunny afternoon. (Flamborough Head is the newest accredited Bird Observatory in the British Isles and ringing is carried out through-out the year under the control of the East Yorkshire Ringing Group) The lighthouse built in 1806 stands some 27 metres in height is on the edge of the 30 metre high chalk cliffs (Tours available weekends and school holidays and by prior arrangement. There's toilets and a decent cafe here, which makes it a nice stopping off point if you're walking round the headland. The importance of Flamborough it's geographical position. The Headland projects 6 miles out into the North Sea making it a good landfall for migrating birds, particularly those from the far north arriving in the autumn, large falls of passerines are possible. The head is an excellent place for Seawatching with its position being so far out, migrating seabirds, passing the end of the Head are often very close, as they move along the coast. Flamborough Head has a long history of recording rarities especially those from the East. Black-browed Albastross, Fea's Petrel, Tengmalm's Owl, Rufous-tailed Scrub Robin, Radde's Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Red-flanked Bluetail, Brown Shrike and Rose coloured Starling to name a few. The habitat on the Head is varied, with hedgerows, small woodland areas, open fields and small reed-beds.There's a cliff walk and steps giving access to the beach, all giving great views of seabirds and seals. Roe Deer are common across the headland as are a variety of small mammals which support a healthy Kestrel population, on our visit a pair of nesting Kestrels were scouring the cliffs looking for dinner. Additional entertainment was in the form of the The local Air Sea Rescue Helicopter performing a rescue training exercise.
The cliff top walk was alive with butterflies and day flying moths, Skylarks and Meadow Pipits sang over the edging fields. Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnets and House Sparrows moved through the hedges and bushes. Flamborough Head was notified as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1986 and supports 788 species of wildlife. Danes Dyke is a wooded valley demarking the western boundary of Flamborough Head. The southern end is regularly birded with common woodland birds present. Firecrest occasionally winter here and other scarce passerines occur in passage periods. Beyond Flamborough village and turn right is South Landing, a wooded gorge which contains similar species to Danes Dyke.
What
to see throughout
the
Year Thanks
to
Flamborough Ornithological Group
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