Bempton end July - worth it?

Tobyh · #1 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 01:22 PM

Hey all,

I have a chance to visit Bempton on my way up countyr on the last weekend of July - anyone able to advise if there will still be plenty happening to make it worthwhile? I know the main breeding season would be just coming to a close so I guess there should still be some stuff there?

Thanks

TobyH

Meta menardi · #2 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 04:03 PM

I've never been there and thought "I wish I hadn't bothered". If you are there when the tide is low Flamborough Head is well worth a wander.

Jonners · #3 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 04:44 PM

We called in there towards late/middle of August last year and there were still plenty of Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars, although the auks had gone by then.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 15-07-2010, 07:59 PM

The main breeding season is coming to a close now, most if not all male Auks have taken their young from the cliffs. However there are still females and none breeders well into August predominatly on the sea. Even in winter sporadic groups of Guillemot turn up. Gannets and fulmar will still be nesting in late July. Kittiwakes, shags and herring gulls will have finished nesting although will still be present in reduced numbers. The resident Peregrine will be about still. Also worth noting that most people come here view the cliffs and pay no attention to the farmland on the cliffs plenty of Corn bunting, reed bunting, Yellowhammer, Linnet, skylark, barn owl, stonechat, sedge warbler, whitethroat, lesser whitethroat, grasshopper warbler etc. Also recently quails have been calling. You also have the bonous of shearwaters and skuas over the sea at this time of year, and there is always potential for vagrants passing through. It all depends on how much of a look around you have.