St Bees

Oy · #1 (**permalink**) 24-06-2006, 09:38 AM

Hi all

I've just booked the Family Oy in for a week in St Bees, Cumbria at the end of October.

Anyone been? Any wildlife tips? Any non-wildlife tips?

Alan · #2 (**permalink**) 24-06-2006, 09:55 AM

All I know is they have puffins and other seabirds there

.........don't fall off the edge will you!

rlchew · #3 (**permalink**) 24-06-2006, 12:25 PM

Oy

I have never been but the RSPB have some information which may be of interest.

I hope you enjoy your visit in October but I suspect that you may be a little late for the seabird colonies.

Richard

FungiJohn · #4 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oy

Hi all

I've just booked the Family Oy in for a week in St Bees, Cumbria at the end of October.

Anyone been? Any wildlife tips? Any non-wildlife tips?

There's an excellent spot between St Bee's and Robin Hood's Bay

No seriously Oy, I'm no bird man but there is always a crowd on the cliffs just a little north of St Bees. Also with Ennerdale, Buttermere and Wastwater on you're doorstep ... It's a wildlife paradise. Any guide to 'the coast to coast' walk will give further info.

Whatever, I'm sure you'll delight us with some excellent images.

I'm off tomorrow for two weeks on the other coast (Scarborough to Lindisfarne. So maybe we can do comparison (of wildlife) at a later point

Wild-Woman · #5 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 01:02 PM

Fun guy John. I bet you don't have mush room in your suitcase!!! LOLOLww Soorreeey

FungiJohn · #6 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Fun guy John. I bet you don't have mush room in your suitcase!!! LOLOLww Soorreeey

lol Nice one Julie

Tornado · #7 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 04:26 PM

Yes been there three times and what a treat the third time. We went for a long weekend and stayed near Ravenglass and traveled to St Bees one morning in June (around 20th each time) the three years were very diffrent. The first time it hammered down and was cold and windy but we walked up the hillside steps to see the Fulmars Great Black-backed Gulls and of course the inevetable Herring Gulls but, the weather was turning bad so we headed back to the car park. The Second visit we parked in a small village called Sandwith and walked up to the headland from there. A short while up the road and it splits the first year from Sandwith we took the left track. This was a heathland track, the wildflowers and butterflies were superb but, as none of us were particularly interested in any of them at that time, marched along to the headland. We saw Yellow Hammer in the Hawthorn and Stonechat sat out on the walls just before reaching the cliffs. Once at the cliffs we saw Razorbills, Great Black-Backed Gulls, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Herring Gull, Cormorant, Puffin (out at sea) Black Guillemot and Guillemot and on the heathland Meadow Pipit and heard Skylark.
The third vist we again parked at Sandwith, walked to where the road forks and took the right hand track. This was where my husband and I saw our first "wild" Barn Owl, she was out hunting in the fields, probably had a young family to feed. It was one of the most memorable things I have seen and will stay with me for years to come. We then took the walk to the "hide" (a small dug out on the cliffs!!) this time no Black Guillemot but plenty of Razorbill, Fulmar, Puffin, Cormorant, and the "Gulls"! On the way back we had another suprise in the shape of a Mole! what a beautiful little creature and often never seen! We had a great time even though each visit was diffrent. I'm sure you will enjoy yourselves it's a great walk even if you're not there for the birds!!
Words of wisdom.... take a fleece or jumper as the cliffs can be rather cool and remember to use sunscreen even if it's overcast!!! We forgot and looked like beetroots for days

Still never put us off though! Great place
Tornado

Oy · #8 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 05:21 PM

Thanks for the advice!

It'll be the last week in October - I'll be wearing more layers than an onion LOL!

Tornado · #9 (**permalink**) 25-06-2006, 06:19 PM

You're welcome! (should have read your post properly!!!) Hope the weather is not too blustery and cold for you in october. I would appreciate your finds on the wildlife front after your visit if thats OK? It would be nice to find out what's about at the later end of the year.
Tornado

ecocumbria · #10 (**permalink**) 12-05-2007, 09:03 PM

You should park at St Mary's church at Woodhouse, Whitehaven and approach St Bees Head on foot from there. You will pass through Barrow Mouth (known on the OS as Saltom Bay). Here you will find peregrines, Slow Worms, Common Lizards, barn owls and little owls. You will also see some good cliff views.