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Description
Sea cliffs with a number of observation platforms to observe Szula and also lumma, Alka, északi sirályhojsza, csüllő and Lunda. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and October on towering chalk cliffs which overlook the North Sea.
Apart from the Szula, which stay until October, most of the auks leave the cliffs in July and form rafts on the sea before moving out to sea as the months progress. Seabird migration in autumn can also bring shearwaters and skuas, as well as Minke Whale and Bottlenose and White-beaked Dolphins.
Away from the cliffs the site has grassland, scrub, hedgerow and farmland habitat adding to the diversity of birds here, especially in periods of migration when warblers and flycatchers feed up before moving on, but also attractive to scarce and declining breeding species like sárga billegető and Sordély. Also Gyöngybagoly is often spotted here.
Winter birding can be very rewarding with Réti fülesbagoly often hunting the clifftop grassland while Kékes rétihéja and Kis sólyom are often passing. Hósármány and Sarkantyús sármány often feed on the short grass or stubble along with flocks of Kenderike and Citromsármány. The auks are often on the cliffs early morning, and then disappear out to sea in winter.
Bempton is a year round destination with a constantly changing cast of avian characters in a truly spectacular location. A café provides refreshing or warming comforts and the shop has gifts, books and memorabilia.
Details
Access
The Bempton Cliffs reserve is a 30 minute drive from Scarborough and around 10 minutes from Bridlington. Follow the brown signs from the main roads. There is a car park and a RSPB visitors center. Press P on the map for directions. Entrance March to October is £ 8 adults; November to Feb £ 4, free for RSPB members. There are six viewpoints along the cliff top path, three fully accessible to wheelchair users. All terrain mobility vehicles can also be hired for mobility impaired access to the rest. The Seabird Centre is open from 9.30am - 5pm in summer and 9.30am - 4pm in winter.
Bempton rail station, on the Hull - Bridlington - Scarborough line, is only 2.5 km away, making the site accessible by public transport.
Terrain and Habitat
Sea , Canyon/cliff , Scattered trees and bushes , Grassland , AgricultureConditions
Flat , Rocky , No shadow , Open landscapeCircular trail
YesIs a telescope useful?
Can be usefulGood birding season
All year roundBest time to visit
Spring , SummerRoute
Wide pathDifficulty walking trail
EasyAccessible by
Foot , Bicycle , CarBirdwatching hide / platform
YesExtra info
Bempton is also famous for a dolmányos albatrosz that was first seen here in 2017 and spent most of the summer of 2021 and 2022 here. Its presence was enough to draw thousands of birders from all over Europe.