Bempton Cliffs

One visit is never enough to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2022-06-01T08:12:00Z

North Yorkshire’s Dementia Forward’s Time Out Together Group paid a visit to RSPB Bempton Cliffs to see the amazing seabird spectacle at its height.

The group had enjoyed a walk on the nature reserve in February and decided to pay a second visit, later in the year, to see the towering cliffs packed with around half-a-million seabirds which nest on the chalk ledges.

Organiser Irene Jervis was delighted that the group, who all have young onset dementia, was keen to come back to the cliff tops:

‘Our first visit proved to be a real favourite. The dramatic location and the stunning sea views really made a big impression on everyone. And we all decided that when the seabirds returned, so would we.’

Kevin Andrews, who drives the group on their outings said:

‘People with this condition can easily become isolated and stuck inside. It’s vitally important that we help them get out and about in a safe environment. The nature reserve here fits the bill perfectly.’

The group tucked into a picnic lunch before heading to one of the six stunning cliff top viewing platforms for a bird spotting session with one of the RSPB’s volunteer guides - keeping a keen eye out for puffins.

Group member, Simonne, is a bird lover and has an aviary at home with lovebirds, canaries and parrots:

‘I love nature and I love it here. The seabirds are really beautiful. ’

Another group member, Derek, said:

‘This is the highlight of the week. It’s a lovely peaceful place full of wildflowers and the jackdaws that hop around the picnic tables are great’.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, added:

‘Being outdoors is a great mood enhancer. Time spent in nature can lower stress levels and lift spirits. It’s a joy to help all our visitors benefit from the soothing power of the natural world.’

Get your brows on for World Albatross Day at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2022-05-19T09:47:00Z

A black-browed albatross on your doorstep is really something to shout about. And that’s exactly what the team at Bempton Cliffs is planning to do on World Albatross Day.

Site Manager, Dave O’Hara, said:

'As the one place in the Northern Hemisphere where, for the past few months, you’ve been able to regularly see an albatross, this is the perfect time to celebrate such a rare visitor to our shores’.

At the heart of the big day is the Brow-a-thon.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, explained:

‘As its name suggests, the black-browed albatross is easily identified by its distinctive eye markings. We thought it would be a great idea to get everyone who visited us on the day to wear fake brows in a show of solidarity. These can be black paper, black felt, anything in fact that gives their real eye-brows a really distinctive look. The more outrageous the better'.

There’ll be lots of other fun activities for youngsters taking place in The Nestbox led by the Visitor Experience team – from storytelling to arts and crafts – all albatross themed, of course.

The café staff too will be doing their bit with albatross muffins expected to fly off the cake stands.

But it’s not all fun and games. There’s also a very serious side to the event.

Albatrosses spend much of their lives soaring over the sea and, sadly, they often become tangled in fishing gear. The increase in marine plastic also poses a significant danger to their survival. These threats have caused their population to be decimated. 15 of the 22 species of albatross are now faced with extinction.

So to highlight the plight of these ocean wanderers and illustrate how innovations, in reducing fishing by-catch in particular, are helping save seabirds’ lives, there’ll also be displays, podcasts and films from The Albatross Task force, members of the British Antarctic Survey and the RSPB’s own Global Species Recovery experts.

Maria Prchlik, added:

‘The overall aim of the day is to learn a little and smile a lot. We’re so lucky to have this magnificent seabird in our part of the world and it gives us great opportunity to shine a spotlight on one of nature’s superstar species’.

The World Albatross Day celebrations takes place on Sunday 19 June from 10am. Regular updates will appear on both Facebook and Twitter in the run up to the event.

Flour power comes to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2022-05-17T15:12:00Z

RSPB Bempton Cliffs has added a selection of amazing sweet treats from two local bakers to their cliff top café.

Katy Wheelwright and Karyn Hoggard, both based in Bridlington, are well known around the town for their fabulous baked goods. Katy’s previous venture was the Little Organic Bakery café and Karyn currently runs Tiffin and Co, in the Old Town.

Both bakers pride themselves not only on quality of their cakes but also their ethical credentials.

Karyn said:

‘All our goods are produced by hand and we pay particular attention to the environmental impact of what we do, for example we only buy sustainable palm oil products.’

Katy is similarly aware of the responsibility to ensure the ingredients she uses doesn’t adversely affect the natural world:

‘I never use artificial flavourings, colourings or preservatives in my bakes. And the eggs are all free-range, from hens that live close-by. Put simply, if it’s not good enough for my family, it’s not good enough for my customers’.

The addition of the two ranges has also increased the choice for those with special dietry requirements. Vegan options have been especially popular with chocolate fudge cake and Lotus Biscoff crème tiffin being big hits.

Visitor Operations Manager, Scott-Davison Smith said:

‘As a conservation charity, we’re very conscious of issue such as food miles and sustainability and so using local suppliers ticks a lot of boxes for us. As does the fact that both Katy and Karyn use only carefully sourced, quality ingredients. And, of course, their bakes taste amazing too’.

Surprises in store on an RSPB seabird cruise.

2022-04-12T11:08:00Z

A puffin tip-toeing on water? A gannet plummeting into the waves? A fluffy chick teetering on wobbly legs?

There’s no telling what magical moments you might experience aboard the Yorkshire Belle on an unforgettable trip to Bempton Cliffs, in the company of the RSPB.

Setting out from Bridlington, on the last of the resort’s famous pleasure cruisers, passengers sail beneath the towering chalk cliffs, for an up-close view of almost half-a-million seabirds living life on the edge.

Around and about, gannets dive, fulmars soar, kittiwakes swoop and puffins bob on the water. The sights are incredible and the noise is unbelievable. You’re right at the heart of one of nature’s truly remarkable spectacles.

Kim Smales, RSPB Cruise Co-ordinator, believes a cruise is a must-do for visitors and locals alike:

‘Looking up at the cliffs is equally as impressive as looking down – they seem to rise forever. And from the deck of the Belle, you see the seabirds in a different light. Some, like puffins, spend most of their life on water and only come to land to breed, so they’re waddling walk is comical but they’re like Olympic athletes when it comes to swimming’.

So that no-one misses spotting a puffin scooping up sand eels or a gannet fledgling balancing on a ledge, an experienced commentator from the RSPB team will point out what’s happening where throughout the three-hour voyage.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs’ site manager, Dave O’Hara, reckons a cruise is a sure-fire way to get once in a lifetime images for keen photographers:

‘ From the sea there are unique views of the seabirds. In some instances, it’s almost as if the birds are posing for the camera - amateurs and professionals alike come away with stunning shots. Last year, there was a fly-past of the black-browed albatross which made its home on the cliffs during the summer and the photos of that were just amazing.’

Dates and times of all RSPB Seabird Cruises can be found at: events.rspb.org.uk/bemptoncliffs

UK Youth for Nature: Lines in the Sand

2022-03-28T13:05:00Z

On Wednesday 23 March UK Youth for Nature joined forces with Sand In Your Eye, the RSPB and a whole host of other organisations to draw lines in the sand on Scarborough beach, creating a whopping 50 meter long sand drawing. This incredible artwork depicted four biologically significant British species: The oak, Eurasian curlew, Eurasian beaver and the Atlantic salmon. But this incredible piece of art carries a powerful message... Britain's biodiversity is declining and we must act now. In fact, we are now one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.

Image: UK Youth for Nature

No sooner was the drawing created than it was washed away, symbolising young people’s alarm about the disappearance of wildlife in the UK.

In fact, this #NatureStunt was well timed. Created in time for Earth Hour (26 March) and coinciding with the UN conference on Biological Diversity (COP-15) in Geneva, UKY4N highlighted their own targets and political promises that they want our UK government to prescribe to. 'By committing to these targets, the UK government can protect our air, water, and land, reduce carbon levels in the atmosphere, and provide immeasurable social and economic benefits.' - UKY4N

UKY4N are calling for the government to:

1. Set more ambitious targets for our 30 by 30 commitments.

2. Set an early target of 2025 to halt all nature loss in the UK, and reverse it by 2030.

3. Ensure all governments set high ambition targets at COP15 - and make credible, transparent action plans to meet them.

Drawing lines in the sand and saying enough is enough, UK Youth for Nature are highlighting that nature simply cannot wait any longer. Without nature, wildlife and healthy ecosystems... we will never tackle climate change.

Governments must do far more to halt the loss of wildlife and they must act now to stop the loss of nature.

For more information on this exciting project, head to: Lines in the Sand – UK Youth for Nature

#NatureCannotWait

#NatureStunt

Read all about it – RSPB Bempton Cliffs features in romantic novel

2022-03-08T17:44:00Z

The Brontes had their moors, Hardy had his heath and now author Catherine Miller has taken the landscape and wildlife of RSPB Bempton Cliffs as inspiration.

Catherine, who’s based in the New Forest, has written a romantic novel, ‘99 Days With You’, whose two main characters visit the East Yorkshire coast nature reserve on a mission to see puffins.

Catherine explained:

‘It’s a boy meets girl tale with a twist - the protagonists have a Wish List and puffin spotting is one of the things they want to do. After researching places where they might see this iconic seabird, it seemed to me that the best place they could go was RSPB Bempton Cliffs.’

In the style of JoJo Moyes’ ‘Me Before You’ series, the novel has sold around 50,000 copies. It’s also been translated into five languages, including French and German, and has received great reviews with a rating of 4.5 on Amazon.

Catherine didn’t have chance to recce the site before writing about it and lockdown prevented her visiting prior to publication. She used information found online and Google Earth to get an idea of what the nature reserve was like.

But both Catherine and her partner Ben Thomson, who joined her on her first trip to the place where one of the book’s key scenes takes place , agreed that the cliffs more than lived up to their expectations:

‘The landscape is even grander than I imagined. The cliffs are much bigger in real life and the vastness of the sea beyond is startling. And while we visited very early in the seabird season, it’s a spooky coincidence that the day we arrived, volunteers spotted the first puffin of the year. If I’d written that in a story, no-one would’ve believed it’.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, added:

‘Being in Catherine’s book is a great way to reach new audiences. Without giving away any spoilers, the story will definitely tug a few heart strings. Several of our team are members of Book Clubs and I’m sure they’ll now be adding ’99 Days With You’ to their reading list.’

And, crucially, is there a happy ending? Catherine said:

‘I’d like to think the ending is hopeful…but you might need a tissue’.

We have one copy of Catherine's book to give away, see the post on the RSPB Bempton Cliffs Facebook page

Facebook Book Competition

We have 1 prize to give away in a competition that will run on our RSPB Bempton Cliffs Facebook page. We will run the competition between the 15- 31 March.

To enter the competition, entrants must like the post, share it, and comment and then an entrant will be picked at random from the total.

Rules
1. This competition is open to all UK residents aged over 18, except any employee of or person directly connected with the RSPB and their immediate family members. Proof of age may be required.
2. The competition is free to enter and no purchase is necessary.
3. All entries must be submitted by commenting on the post that will be posted within the RSPB Bempton Cliffs social media channel. Entries must be submitted using the comments section of the post.
4. The Competition will be posted every day on 1st December until 24th December. The RSPB must receive entries by 4:30pm on each day’s post. Any entry which is late, incomplete or inappropriate will be deemed invalid at the discretion of the RSPB.
5. The RSPB accepts no responsibility for any technical failure, malfunction or any other problem with any server, internet access system or otherwise which may result in any entry being lost, corrupted or not properly registered or recorded. No responsibility will be taken for damaged or lost entries.
6. The judges shall put all the entries into a random name picker and one winner will be selected. The judges’ decisions shall be final. No correspondence regarding the results will be entered into.
7. The winner shall receive the signed copy of Catherine Miller’s book ’99 Days With You’.
8. The winner will be notified by a direct message from RSPB Bempton Cliffs via Facebook. They must respond by providing a postal address to bempton.cliffs@rspb.org.uk to claim their prize. Once this has been confirmed the RSPB will send the winner their prize within 5 days and this information will be deleted. If a winner does not respond with this information within 5 days of being notified by the RSPB then they will forfeit their prize and a replacement winner will be selected from the other applicants.
9. The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable and no cash alternative is offered.
10. The RSPB accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to the prize which may occur during delivery to the winner’s address.
11. The prize was provided by the author, Catherine Miller.

With the winner’s permission by private message, the winner's name will be announced when the competition ends on the RSPB Bempton Cliffs Facebook page.
13.Full copyright title remains with the author/owner of any entry. Please see the full Terms and Conditions below.
14. The RSPB reserves the right to refuse entry or to refuse to award the prize to anyone in breach of the Rules or the Terms and Conditions or the spirit of the Rules or the Terms and Conditions.

Terms and Conditions
1. By submitting your entry to the RSPB, you agree to be legally bound by the Rules and these Terms and Conditions.
2. The RSPB reserves the right to hold void, cancel, suspend, or amend the promotion where it becomes necessary to do so.
3. Any entry must be your original work and it must not infringe the rights of third parties including copyright, trade mark, trade secrets, privacy, publicity, personal or proprietary rights.
4. Full copyright title shall be retained by the author of any entry. By submitting any entry to the RSPB, you agree to grant the RSPB a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and worldwide license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, perform, display and exercise all publicity rights with respect to your entry, and/or to incorporate your entry in other works, in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in your entry, and in accordance with privacy restrictions set out in the RSPB’s Privacy Policy.
5. By submitting an entry, you agree to waive any moral rights contained in your entry. Any entry you provide shall be non-confidential.
6. By submitting an entry, you agree the RSPB may use the material for any purpose and in any way it chooses, including, but not limited to, marketing, publicity, advertising and presentations.
7. The RSPB (including its subsidiaries, agents or distributors) shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential loss or damage or for any costs, claims or demands of any nature whatsoever arising directly or indirectly out of the use of your entry or any part thereof.
8. Insofar as is permitted by law, the RSPB, its subsidiaries, agents or distributors will not in any circumstances be responsible or liable to compensate the winner or accept any loss, damage, personal injury or death occurring as a result of taking up the prize except where it is caused by the negligence of the RSPB, its agents or distributors or that of their employees. Your statutory rights are not affected.
9. You agree to indemnify the RSPB (and its subsidiaries) against any claim from any third party for any breach of the Rules or these Terms and Conditions.
10. The RSPB reserves the right to update these Terms and Conditions from time to time and any updated version will be effective as soon as it is published on the RSPB Love Nature Facebook page.
11. The winner may be requested to participate in publicity related to the prize draw which may include the publication of their name and photograph in any media, you agree that your personal date may be used for this.
12. Any entry you provide shall be non-confidential.
13. The RSPB take your privacy very seriously; we will only use your personal information in accordance with the terms of RSPB’s Privacy Policy (available here: www.rspb.org.uk/privacypolicy). Personal data supplied during the course of this promotion will be passed on to third party suppliers only insofar as required for the fulfilment/deliver/arrangement of the prize. By submitting an entry, you acknowledge and agree that you have read and accept the terms of our Privacy Policy and these Terms and Conditions.
14. This competition is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
15. In using Facebook, you acknowledge and agree to be bound by Facebook’s Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
16. This competition is governed by English law and English Courts have exclusive jurisdiction.
17. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (the RSPB) is a registered charity in England & Wales no. 207076 and in Scotland no. SC037654 whose registered address is at The Lodge, Sandy, Bedfordshire SG19 2DL.

Simply the best - Flamborough Head/Bempton Cliffs wins birdwatching Site of the Year.

2022-02-15T09:28:00Z

Birdwatch magazine, the number one monthly magazine for enthusiasts, has just announced its birding ‘Oscars’ for 2021 in its February edition.

And the prestigious Site of the Year title, in it’s Birders’ Choice Awards, has been won by Flamborough Head/Bempton Cliffs.

Amongst other winners was Chris Packham, who was named Conservation Hero of the Year.

The magazine described the East Yorkshire site as a ‘worthy winner’ due to ‘offering great sea-watching, spectacular visible migration’ and it being the ‘adopted’ home of a black-browed albatross, which spent weeks on the cliffs last year.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs Site Manager, Dave O’Hara, explained further why this is a special place for birders:

‘This stunning stretch of the Yorkshire coastline attracts a broad range of seabirds and migrants and is extremely popular with the birding community.

The fact that the birds come here in such numbers is, in part, due to the continued conservation work of organisations such as the RSPB. The headland and cliffs are designated a Special Protection Area (SPA) and Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), which highlights the importance of the seabird colony and its kittiwake population, in particular.

With the support of local groups such as Flamborough Bird Observatory, we aim not just to win awards but to win the fight against the national decline in seabird numbers.’

Birdwatch magazine has a global reach and is bought in 45 countries. These annual awards are voted for by the magazine’s readers.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, added:

‘To win a people’s vote is a real accolade. It means that we’ve connected with birdwatchers who are out in the field day in, day out, rain and shine, binoculars in hand. We’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who voted for us.’

Robin Robin captures the imagination of bookworms, thanks to RSPB Bempton Cliffs.

2021-12-22T13:28:00Z

If birds are RSPB Bempton Cliffs’ favourite thing, books are not very far behind. Which is why, following a collaboration with the RSPB, when the book of the new festive Aardman film Robin Robin came out, the cliff top team donated a copy to the local library in Bridlington.

Robin Robin is the story of a little bird trying to find her place in the world and it’s showing on Netflix until 10 January. The beautifully illustrated book of the film captures all the magic of the heart-warming TV movie.

Members of Bridlington Library’s Chatterbooks club were one of the first to hear Robin Robin’s tale, as told by library assistant and super storyteller, Sophie. The children also coloured in robin pictures, learnt some facts about robins and listened to the song of the robin, voted the UK’s favourite bird.

So, without giving away any ‘spoilers’, what are the best bits of Robin Robin’s tale? Chatterbooks’ regulars, James and Lily, were keen to share their views:

‘I liked the part about wishes – but the robin is really cute too’, enthused James.

Lily preferred ‘the bit where they get the crumbs’ and added:

‘It’s good to have a happy story about an orphan because in Victorian times they used to get left on the street’.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik, said:

‘We’re delighted to be able to share the Robin Robin story with the children of Bridlington. Its messages of inclusiveness and being true to yourself are especially appropriate during the season of goodwill. And we hope everyone who visits the library and reads Robin Robin will also join us on the cliff tops for more Robin Robin adventures’.

There are three Robin Robin storytelling events planned at RSPB Bempton Cliffs on 18, 23 and 31 December. And the Robin Robin trail can be explored until 10 January. Full details and booking information can be found at rspb.org.uk/bemptoncliffs. The Robin Robin book can also be purchased from the shop in the Seabird Centre.

70 year old postcard delivered to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2021-12-21T13:48:00Z

It’s amazing what you find while clearing out the attic. While sifting through boxes in his Mother’s loft after her death, Viv Warne from near Pocklington, came across a postcard sent from Bempton in 1951.

So when he visited the East Yorkshire Coast nature reserve at Bempton Cliffs recently to celebrate his birthday, he brought the seventy year old card with him.

Viv Warne with his second wife, June.

His Nanna, Ethel Goom, lived in the village at Whitecote Cottage on Main Street until 1976. She sent the card to Viv’s Mum, shortly after she moved to the area.

Viv and his brother, Howard, often came to stay with her during the school holidays - even cycling all the way from his home in York one summer.

Viv recalls those times fondly:

‘Nana often took us to the cliffs to see the seabirds, which was quite a good walk. She was in her sixties then but was quite fit and was very proud that she could kick her own height!

She was very knowledgeable about wildlife and told us the names of the birds and the wild flowers we would see on the way. She also told us that during severe storms she could hear from her cottage the crash of parts of the cliffs collapsing.’

The central image on the postcard shows the ‘climmers’ – local men and women who would inch down the cliffs on ropes collecting seabird eggs before the trade became illegal.

Viv thinks his first visit to the cliffs was in 1953 or 4 and he’s visited almost every year since:

‘The cliffs hold such happy memories for me but they’re also a very special place in their own right. I loved them as a youngster and still do. And I hope generations of other families are able to enjoy the magic of them as mine has’.

Communications Officer, Maria Prchlik said:

‘It was wonderful to receive Viv’s postcard from the past. His Nanna sounds an amazing lady. It’s a joy for us to have played such an important part in his family’s history.

Ethel Goom (on the right) with Viv Warne, holding his eldest son, Richard, next to his late wife, Sue.

Warden Wednesday

2021-12-01T10:00:00Z

Last week our fabulous Warden, Dave, and our membership fundraiser, Andy, carried out some minor habitat work on our pond. This was to try and maintain the habitat and keep it in favourable condition. This basically involved removing a sizeable amount of the broad-leaved pond weed which has carpeted almost the entire surface of the pond, restricting light access below the water surface and suffocating lots of other aquatic plant life.

You keen-eyed readers might notice that there are still piles of the pondweed all around the edge of the pond! This has been done to allow for any creepy crawlies to find their way back into the pond before the plant remains are removed altogether this week!

At a later date, our warden team will also be cutting back more of the overhanging willow growth around the pond to reduce the amount of shading it creates. They will also be removing any fallen leaves, as these take up valuable oxygen levels and add to a more stagnant environment.

Big thanks and gratitude to Andy for his help with this and other work around the reserve this week as part of his volunteer day! And of course to our wonderful warden too.

Stay tuned for more habitat updates as we prepare for the Spring! #WardenWednesday

Celebrate your inner Robin on our adventure trail this Christmas

2021-11-12T10:30:00Z

We’re delighted to be partnering with Netflix and Aardman on Robin Robin, a half-hour, stop-motion, festive story for the whole family, about a young robin trying to fit in. It’s debuting on Netflix on 24 November – get the date in your diary!

To celebrate, we’re inviting you to join exclusive Robin Robin-themed adventure trails right here at RSPB Bempton Cliffs this Christmas season.

Over 30 RSPB nature reserves around the UK, including us, are running bespoke family trails to help you be your best robin. Our trails include an exclusive Robin Robin and RSPB activity pack, with a trail booklet, robin-related activities, a bird food recipe card, and much more. These fun-filled trails will allow your whole family to experience the festive joy of Robin Robin, all while spending time in the great outdoors together.

Credit: Aardman/Netflix

Running from 24 November to 10 January, the adventure will mean you all learn to sing like a robin, find your very own superpower, and use all your senses to connect with your robin within. An activity booklet will help you complete all the challenges and be rewarded with a certificate for completing the trail and becoming a brilliant robin.

We’ve also got an audio trail available, voiced by Bronte Carmichael, the voice actor for Robin Robin.

Other activities we’ve got on offer include: storytelling and robin-themed in our visitor centre.

We will be offering Robin Robin-themed food and drink so adventurers can refuel in style! Our shop will also have Robin Robin books, an exclusive Robin Robin pin badge and products on offer to help families look after robins and other wildlife at home this winter.

Credit: Aardman/Netflix

We are excited to be working with Aardman and Netflix to celebrate the festive magic of the robin with families. Robins are one of the UK’s most beloved birds and a true Christmas icon. Our new trails will immerse you in the Robin Robin story and bring it to life in our reserve’s special greenspaces. We hope the film and our adventure trails can inspire everyone to discover robins and the other wildlife that they share their homes with, and to enjoy exploring nature. Our Robin Robin activity pack also includes activities and ideas on how you can help robins and other wildlife at home this winter.

Dan Ojari and Mikey Please, co-creators and directors of Robin Robin, say: “It’s a dream come true to be partnering with the RSPB, bringing our Robin into their wonderful reserves and helping families connect with the wildlife around them. The story of Robin Robin plays with a misunderstanding between ‘the Who-mens’ and birds and we’re thrilled to support any effort that will help bring our two worlds closer together.”

Full information on our Robin Robin events and activities can be found here!

For full facilities details and our Christmas opening times check out our website.

VIP seabird bring celebrities to RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2021-11-02T17:02:00Z

The stars of the show at RSPB Bempton Cliffs are usually the stunning seabirds.

However, the arrival of a rarity, in the shape of a black-browed albatross, has seen a number of famous faces head to the East Yorkshire cliff tops over the past couple of months.

Actor, Sam West, star of Channel 5s hit series, All Creatures Great and Small, spent a morning searching for the oceanic bird. Sam has visited the cliff tops with his family several times and describes the nature reserve as ‘sheer paradise’. And it’s definitely one of his ‘go to’ places for a little R &R when he’s filming in Yorkshire.

The gigantic seabird, usually found in the southern hemisphere around The Falklands, also impressed the BBC.

Anita Rani and the Countryfile Team filmed on the reserve during the summer and captured some stunning footage of the albatross. The One’s Show’s popular bird watching duo, Ollie Olanipekun and Nadeem Perara, founders of ‘Flock Together’, were also gobsmacked by a fly past from the gigantic bird, whose wingspan is around 8 feet.

In July, popular TV medic Dr Amir Khan took a tour of the cliff tops before joining the Bempton Cliffs’ team on a seabird cruise aboard the Yorkshire Belle. He was wow’d by the spectacle of diving gannets, tweeting that they were ‘a sight to behold’.

And amongst the high-profile birdwatchers, Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl, was one of those who travelled miles to catch even a glimpse of the albatross. This enthusiastic young ornithologist and wildlife champion is inspiring the next generation to appreciate the natural world through connecting with her thousands of followers on Twitter and Instagram

Dave O’Hara, Site Manager at RSPB Bempton Cliffs said:

‘In many ways this has been a year like no other on the cliff tops: the arrival, and extended stay, of the black-browed albatross has made it even more special. We’re delighted to have been able to share seeing this magnificent seabird with so many people. And while it’s been a joy to welcome so many celebrities, equally it’s been a privilege to meet all the visitors who journeyed from around the country to see this incredible bird that’s so far very from home.’

Guest blog - A Yorkshire albatross - Robert E Fuller

2021-10-20T10:07:00Z

Having seen black-browed albatross on the Falkland Islands, local wildlife photographer, filmmaker and artist, Robert E Fuller, could hardly believe one had been spotted just up the road. So he set off to find it. Here's his story:

When I heard there was a black browed albatross on my doorstep, I packed my cameras and headed out to film it.

Albatross Off Course

The unlikely visitor was spotted at RSPB Bempton Cliffs on the East Yorkshire coast, some 10 thousand miles away from its usual territory. Named for a stripe of dark feathers on along its brow, this bird is normally found in South Atlantic and was well off course.

Christmas On The Falkland Islands

I’ve travelled around the world to see this species, most memorably back in 2006 when my wife and I hired a remote portacabin on Saunders Island. This small island forms part of the Falkland Islands where 70% of the world’s population of black browed albatross breed. It was Christmas and we had no electricity, but we spent our days happily surrounded by penguins and albatross in – even celebrating Christmas day on the cliffs with just the birds for company.

Also Known As ‘Mollymawks’

Classed as a medium-sized albatross, the black browed albatross is nevertheless an impressively large seabird with a wingspan of up to two-and-a-half metres and a dark grey saddle and black upper wings. Also known as a ‘mollymawk’ the species is distinctive from other albatrosses by the nostrils on the side of the bird’s large bills. These pastel peach beaks are made up of between seven and nine plates that help them to filter salt from the ocean water.

Chimney Pot Nests

Black browed albatross breed exclusively in the islands of the South Atlantic on unusual nests that look a bit like chimney pots. Made from mud and guano, these nests measure about 20 inches high. An albatross lays just a one egg, in early October, into a shallow hollow dug into the top. This egg is fiercely guarded from marauding predators like skuas and after an incubation of nearly three months both parents care for their single large white chick for over four months.

Watching them that Christmas was magical. We were able to wander among the adult birds as they sat on top of their mud-tower nests, looking like dignitaries on their thrones. The birds did not seem to mind our presence at all.

Far From Home

Outside of the breeding season, this albatross species normally confines itself to the southern oceans. And it was with mixed feelings that I arrived at Bempton Cliffs to see it. It seemed to me more than a little worrying that this bird was so far from home. Bempton Cliffs is host to the Britain’s largest mainland sea bird colony and each summer the cliffs are crowded with gannets, puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes and more.

So, when I arrived at the colony it was surprisingly hard to pick the albatross out from the other birds perched on the bustling cliffs and I had to wait for it to take to the wing before I spotted it. But as soon as it did, it’s sheer size instantly stood out against the other birds circling the cliff tops. It even dwarfed the gannets, which themselves have a wingspan of up to six foot!

Albatross Dwarfs Native Gannets

It was breath-taking to watch the albatross’s effortless, beautiful flight as it swirled among the flocks of gannets circling in the sky and, mesmerised, I returned to the same spot for several days to film it. According to the staff at RSPB Bempton, this is the second time a black browed albatross has visited the reserve and they believe it could be the same individual.

Black Browed Albatross Can Live For 50 Years

Albatrosses can have long lives and there are records of black browed albatross living up to 50 years, but it is thought this particular one is only about eight years old and so unlikely to have begun breeding yet. Once black browed albatrosses fledge the nest, they don’t tend to return to their breeding grounds until they are around eight to 10 years old so it is likely this one may have wandered into the northern hemisphere whilst looking for food.

Black-browed albatross feed largely on fish, lobster-krill and squid and are known to travel long distances to find the best feeding – sometimes more than 200 miles in a single trip. They are also successful scavengers of waste and offal discarded from fishing trawlers.

I also think changes in habitat, plus warmer temperatures, may have something to do with the albatross straying so far. And this is worrying. Already this species is in decline, with breeding pairs thought to be decreasing each year.

Albert, Scotland’s Albatross Visitor

Over the years there have been reports of a black-browed albatross named Albert living among a gannet colony in Scotland. Like the Bempton albatross, this bird was also a lone individual.

I read that this individual albatross arrived at Bempton at the end of June after having been chased from cliffs in Denmark by nine white-tailed eagles, which although dramatic, was a sorry tale.

A Lonely Bird

But if this albatross’s sojourn into Europe has been a lonely avian experience, it did receive a warm welcome from Yorkshire’s birders. In fact, bird-spotters from all over the UK massed at the clifftops throughout the summer to see it and it became so popular they even affectionately nicknamed it ‘Albert’.

And, although I had mixed feelings about seeing a bird flying so far from home, it was wonderful to watch. It was also amazing to think that I once travelled halfway around the world to see this species, and then it turned up right on my doorstep.

www.robertefuller.com

One man went to mow at RSPB Bempton Cliffs

2021-09-14T13:59:00Z

Mowing the lawn on a Sunday took a very different turn at RSPB Bempton Cliffs recently.

Martin Stevens, from Hunmanby, is part of a group that meets up regularly to mow grassland using a scythe. And having visited the cliff top nature reserve, he thought that the meadow beyond the Seabird Centre would be the perfect place to practice cutting the ‘sward’.

It’s a hobby that began around three years ago and is linked to his passion for history and historical crafts.

Martin said:

‘I'm particularly interested in how people used to do things before modern technology took over. It can potentially give us some insight into what our ancestors would have had to deal with when working in the fields.’

He’s not alone. The UK has seen renewed interest in the art of scything as the ‘old ways’ fight back against modern machine-based methods of managing the land.

According to the UK’s Scythe Association, there is a revival of the tool’s use in Western Europe because of the environmental benefits. Scythe’s don’t use fuel, they’re light and portable so there are no transport costs and they don’t make a noise – so no need for ear defenders. And who wouldn’t prefer the sound of birdsong to the roar of an engine.

Scythes are also a particularly efficient method of dealing with issues that mechanical mowers struggle with such as slopes or tree-filled orchards, as well as long or wet grass.

But it is a skilled job. And the secret of successful scything is based on three things: sharpness of the blade, setting up the scythe correctly and the right technique when it comes to moving the blade to and fro.

Martin explained further:

‘The Austrian-style scythes used today need sharpening in the field about every five minutes, along with occasional peening – hammering the edge of the blade to thin the metal making it easier to keep sharp. Then it’s important to keep the blade level and low through the swing’.

And at Bempton Cliffs, the results speak for themselves.

Dave Aitken, warden at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, said:

‘The meadow is a very important habitat on the reserve. It’s home to wildflowers such as bird’s-foot-trefoil, yellow-rattle and common spotted orchids and it supports a variety of invertebrates, which in turn fuel the food chain which birds such as skylark and meadow pipit depend upon. So during the breeding and growing season we simply let the grass and wildflower communities do their thing. But at this time of year, we cut it back and remove the material. It’s wonderful that Martin and his team have done most of the hard work for us, and in such a time-honoured, traditional way.’

Kittiwake Monitoring at Bempton Cliffs

2021-07-14T09:30:00Z

Image: Kittiwake and chicks, Martin Jones-Gill

This week, I’m delving into the world of kittiwake monitoring! This is carried out in a pretty similar way to the herring gull monitoring I do here, but this time I’m watching just one fixed spot. My plot is on our Bartlett Nab viewpoint and here I am keeping an eye on 53 AON (apparently occupied nests) that I’ve marked up on a photograph of the cliff face.

Since May I’ve been heading out weekly to keep tabs on my kittiwake. Spending so much time with them, I’m really getting to know my nests, and some might even say that I’m getting pretty attached. I think I’ve even managed to talk to myself a few times whilst I’ve been out there but spotting your first chick is a super exciting moment!

When I’m out on the cliffs I’ll have my useful bits of kit with me, so this includes my weather writer folder with plot photographs and recording sheets, as well as my binoculars. As my plot at Bartlett is so close to the viewpoint, I often don’t need to take a telescope with me, but it can be super useful for those nests lower down or in trickier spaces.

Kittiwake will breed on the sheer cliffs here by building small circular nest structures out of things like mud, grass and seaweed. The nest is built on rock shelves or ledges and is added to year on year. The nest building will normally start about three weeks before the first eggs are laid, when mud is collected from wet areas of the cliff top or from nearby fields. This collection of mud can often be a really social event, so you might sometimes find lots of kittiwake flying inland or higher up the cliff early on in the breeding season.

Kittiwake will lay between 1-3 eggs a year, much more commonly 2. These are rather buffish, spotted and blotched in various shades of brown. Once the eggs are laid, they’ll be incubated for a period of 4 weeks and after hatching, chicks will typically fledge after about 5 weeks.

Kittiwake have a typical lifespan of 12 years, however the oldest known bird recorded was 28! Being such a long-lived species, the effects of consistently low productivity to show within the last five years is cause for concern. Unfortunately, the UK population has declined by around 50% in the last 25 years. Due to this, the species has been identified as a conservation priority and is a red listed species. Our colony is internationally important and represents more than 3% of the UK and more than 10% of the UK and Ireland breeding population, so long term monitoring here is really important for understanding population trends.

Due to the way they feed (shallow plunge-diving to take prey several metres from the sea surface), kittiwake are really good indicators of the health of the sea. Many of our seabirds rely on sandeels as a food source; a small, shoaling fish living in the North Sea which is great for growing chicks. The availability of sandeels is affected by climate change and fishing, which means less food for our seabirds and in turn the chicks they are trying to raise. 44 chicks from the area I’m monitoring have successfully hatched and survived (so far), but an increasing number of nests are being recorded as losing eggs and young.

When we’re monitoring our kittiwake, we’re hoping that our colony shows a mean productivity rate of around 0.80 chicks per pair, which has been identified as the required rate to maintain a stable population. However, we have found that our rate is around 0.60 chicks per pair which is a cause for concern.

Head over to our Facebook and Twitter pages to join me for a quick look around as I head out to monitor my kittiwake. I’ll be sharing updates on chicks later in the month, so keep your eyes peeled for more!