RSPB's Bempton Cliffs Nature Reserve

RSPB Reserve, Bempton Cliffs, Bridlington,
East Yorkshire YO15 1JF

Tel: 01912 813366

The chalk cliffs at Bempton form part of England's largest seabird colony between Flamborough Head and Bempton. Over 200,000 seabirds breed on the reserve alone. As well as managing reserves such as this the RSPB also works for the better protection of the marine environment. For much of the year, the cliffs at Bempton are relatively quiet, but during the breeding season, between April and August, they are crammed with birds. The spectacle, noise, activity and smell all contribute to an overwhelming and memorable experience. As many seabird colonies are on remote islands Bempton offers a rare opportunity to watch breeding seabirds at close quarters.

Both puffins and gannets breed at Bempton. About 2,000 pairs of puffins return to the cliffs to breed and each pair lays a single egg in a crevice in the rock face. Between May and the end of July they regularly visit their young with small fish but by August, the young puffins have left the cliffs to spend the winter on the North Sea. Bempton has the largest mainland gannet colony (gannetry) in Britain. Over 2,500 pairs nest on the cliffs and can be seen here from January to November, but are most active between April and August when they are breeding. They will travel up to 60 miles to find food. Six other species of seabirds nest at Bempton Cliffs. Kittiwakes are the most numerous, with 45,000 pairs packed onto the cliffs. Guillemots and razorbills also nest on the narrow cliff ledges. Look out for the distinctive gliding flight of fulmars around the cliffs, and herring gulls and a few shags also nest on the cliffs.