Bempton Cliffs

Sea cliffs with a number of observation platforms to observe Fou de Bassan and also Guillemot de Troïl, Pingouin torda, Fulmar boréal, Mouette tridactyle and Macareux moine. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and October on towering chalk cliffs which overlook the North Sea.

Bempton is also famous for a Albatros à sourcils noirs that was first seen here in 2017 and spent most of the summer of 2021 and 22 here; unfortunately it has not returned for 2023. There are thought to be only two birds in the Northern Hemisphere so its presence was enough to draw thousands of birders from all over Europe. It could be elusive, often spending days away from the cliffs, but has also delighted many visitors with fabulous close flights along the cliffs.

Apart from the Fou de Bassan, 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 Bergeronnette printanière and Bruant proyer.

Winter birding can be very rewarding with Hibou des marais often hunting the clifftop grassland while Busard Saint-Martin and Faucon émerillon are often passing. Bruant des neiges and Bruant lapon often feed on the short grass or stubble along with flocks of Linotte mélodieuse and Bruant jaune. 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.