The RSPB Bempton Cliffs column with Ivan Nethercoat

The puffins have been fickle and while we have several thousand birds, they can be elusive. As they start nesting properly they should become easier to see. The somewhat less elusive kittiwakes and gannets provide a very maritime dawn chorus, once a life saving sound for sailors in thick fog.

We love sharing the sights and sounds of this magical place and you can see all the events and activities on our website, from art, photography, special walks and children’s trails and of course the famous cruises with the RSPB on the Yorkshire Belle where you not only get close to It is the cliffs that make Bempton truly special, not just because of amazing numbers of seabirds but the sheer towering height at Bempton and Speeton.

What makes Bempton unique is the viewpoints we have perched atop the cliffs that allow you to safely get to the edge where you enter the realm of the birds and take in the amazing seascape.

The recent wet winters have meant that there is increasing erosion at the clifftop and action is needed now to develop new viewpoints and to secure the future of this special experience into the seabird’s world.

One of our most popular viewpoints was Grandstand. This was the nearest to the centre and gave spectacular views along the cliffs. It also allowed close puffin views into a well-used crevice. We have plans to redevelop Grandstand and other parts of the reserve to enhance the experience that visitors to Bempton get. The reserve is a key part of East Yorkshire’s attraction as a tourist destination and helps bring visitors from far and wide to the area and this new phase will increase the attraction of the site all year round.

If you’d like to support the reserve’s work, go to the the JustGiving link at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/bemptonview.