By Alec Taylor, Marine Policy Officer
In June, The RSPB and the Wildlife Trusts took members of the marine planning team from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) to Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs, which are home to more than 200,000 breeding seabirds, as well as seals, orchids, lichens and so much more. It’s a really special place. It’s also on the northern boundary of the first two marine plan areas, which extend offshore from the East of England into the North Sea. These areas are used heavily by Bempton’s seabirds for foraging, including areas which are also important for human activity. We’re working really hard to ensure that marine plans around the UK recognise the value and importance of birds and use the best available evidence on how birds use these areas to guide human activities in a sensible way.
After a fantastic tour of Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve and a boat trip around Flamborough head with one of the local fishing boats, we were all able to see these points in action! If you haven’t been before, now is the time to see all the main species (including puffins, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes, gannets and fulmars). The gannets will be around until the autumn though and are well worth seeing on their own!
Members of the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts and MMO at Bempton Cliffs Reserve (photo: Kirsten Smith, Wildlife Trusts)