Hundreds of thousands of seabirds nest along Bempton’s spectacular 400-foot high cliffs between April and August. The RSPB reserve is of course famous for its Puffins, but it also boaststhe largest mainland Gannet colonyin Britain – it’s a fantastic place to view and photograph these birds at close quarters, either from above on the cliff-top, or from below on a boat! The cliffs also teem with nesting and raucous Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, Fulmars and Shags in summer.

Other birds nesting at Bempton include Sedge Warblers, Corn and Reed Buntings, Tree Sparrows, Linnets, Meadow Pipits and Skylarks. Peregrines are frequently sighted. Spring and summer bring migrants such as Wheatears, warblers, chats and shrikes. In winter, Short-eared or Long-eared Owls can occasionally be seen patrolling the rough grassland areas.

Orchids you can see at Bempton include Northern Marsh, Pyramidal and Common Spotted.