Where to enjoy Yorkshire’s stunning coastline, and a chance of migrating birds and dolphins

Imagine the beauty of a wild walk along windswept cliffs towering over 100 metres above a stormy North Sea.

Overhead, hear the calls of hundreds of winter visitors – from the mesmerising pink-footed goose to the tiny miracle of the goldcrest.

Step off the path on to one of the viewpoints and suddenly you are (safely) right on the cliff edge, as the waves pummel the cliffs below.

Where to spot dolphins

Dolphins don’t seem to mind the winter seas of course, and you might be fortunate to see a pod on their travels between Bridlington and Scarborough. Gull-like fulmars often stay close to the cliffs all year but the contrast between the frenetic activity of breeding season to the quiet but moody cliffs of winter is an attraction in itself. And if you’re a relatively early riser the moment can be breathtakingly transformed with the sun rising over the North Sea, bathing the sky in deep pinks and reds of morning.

Huge flock of winter birds

Now is the time for new visitors; on an easterly wind hundreds of thousands of birds make their way to the UK for its warmer winters. Any bit of land that sticks out from the coast can be a magnet for these transient winter visitors and RSPB Bempton Cliffs is in a prime location, being part of Yorkshire’s ‘great white cape’ that is Flamborough Head. Many of these birds will fly overhead but others will stop for food after a perilous sea crossing and the trees and hedgerows which dedicated volunteers and staff have planted provide a winter larder to refresh tired wings, before moving on to gardens and parks.

It is on the clifftop fields and hedgerows that the bird action now takes place. RSPB Bempton is a ‘service station’ that refuels weary feathered travellers. Those winter sea crossers can be found feeding on fruits, berries and insects before they disperse. Some are regular visitors to our shores – thrushes and goldcrests in particular increase in numbers now.

Overhead, the loud crackles of fieldfares can be heard before they fly away from hawthorn berries in a flash of silver. The smaller redwing is often nearby, another Scandinavian breeder over here for better weather and more food. Others can be rare visitors to our shores as they find themselves far away from their usual route.

As you walk along the cliff edge, you may come across snow buntings on the stubble fields or encounter one of the wintering short-eared owls as they search on silent wings, sweeping over the swaying stems of winter grasslands, all the time listening intently for the sounds of mice and voles below.

Warming welcome

Temperatures drop at this time of year and the RSPB Bempton Cliffs Reserve Visitor Centre adapts its menu accordingly, with warming soups and hot chocolate. And if those birds are bit elusive you can rent or treat yourself to some binoculars to help or just seek out some nature-friendly gifts for friends.

So for more details, check out the website and pop along for your nature fix. They look forward to seeing and welcoming you there:

“Because together, we fly.

“Nature’s here. Be part of it.”

RSPB Bempton Cliffs Reserve is at Cliff Lane, Bridlington, East Riding of Yorkshire, YO15 1JF.