Descrição
Sea cliffs with a number of observation platforms to observe Ganso-patola and also Arau-comum, Torda-mergulheira, Fulmar-glacial, Gaivota-tridáctila and Papagaio-do-mar. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and October on towering chalk cliffs which overlook the North Sea.
Apart from the Ganso-patola, 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 alvéola-amarela and Trigueirão. Also coruja-da-igreja / coruja-das-torres is often spotted here.
Winter birding can be very rewarding with Coruja-do-nabal often hunting the clifftop grassland while Tartaranhão-azulado and Esmerilhão are often passing. Escrevedeira-das-neves and Escrevedeira da Lapónia often feed on the short grass or stubble along with flocks of Pintarroxo-comum and Escrevedeira-amarela. 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.
Detalhes
Acesso
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.
Terreno e Habitat
Mar , Desfiladeiro/precipício , Árvores e arbustos dispersos , Campina , AgriculturaCondições
Plano , Rochoso , Sem sombra , Paisagem abertaCaminho circular
Simé útil um telescópio?
Pode ser útilBoa temporada de observação de aves
Durante todo o anoMelhor hora para visitar
Primavera , VerãoRota
Caminho largoCaminho dificil
FácilAcessível por
Pé , Bicicleta , CarroAbrigo/plataforma deobservação de aves
SimInformação extra
Bempton is also famous for a Albatroz-de-sobrancelha 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.
