Flamborough Headland is renowned for having the largest mainland seabird colony in Britain and a reputation for top drawer seawatching. Not least, the area is a fantastic place to witness bird migration and see small birds such as thrushes, chats and warblers making landfall after crossing the North Sea and it also has an impeccable pedigree in attracting scarcities from continental Europe and rarities from farther east.
Latest Sightings
- 8th February 2025Overcast throughout, with a light easterly wind and maximum of four degrees C. Thirty-two Red-throated Divers, three talon-grappling Peregrines and two Eider featured on the seawatch. Elsewhere, 18 White-fronted Geese remained along North Marine Road. RSPB Bempton Cliffs hosted two Short-eared Owls.
- 7th February 2025Overcast with a blustery easterly wind and a high of five degrees C. Seawatch highlights included eight Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a single Mediterranean Gull and a Bonxie. On the headland, wildfowl interest included 18 White-fronted Geese, eight Egyptian Geese, two Shelduck, 89 Wigeon, a Shoveler and 165 Teal. Thirteen Woodcock,…
- 6th February 2025A sunny day, with light onshore winds and a high of eight degrees C. Huge numbers of Guillemots moved north during the morning seawatch with 120,000 flying past the Fog Station. Thornwick Pools hosted two Shelduck and 85 Teal. Nearby, the 18 White-fronted Geese and eight Egyptian Geese were still…
- 5th February 2025Sunny throughout, with light winds and a high of eight degrees C. Single Shelduck and Great Northern Diver flew south during a morning seawatch. Wildfowl interest was provided by the 18 White-fronted Geese and eight Egyptian Geese in fields adjacent to North Marine Road. Three Short-eared Owls hunted cliff top…
Daily Highlights
Recent Highlights
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Highlights Archive
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Flamborough Bird Observatory (FBO) is one of only twenty bird observatories located at key migration hotspots in Britain and Ireland. It is run by a team of dedicated, enthusiastic volunteers whose aims include studying bird populations and and recording migration. FBO’s recording area is broadly the same as the Flamborough Headland Heritage Coast and encompasses the whole area east of Danes Dyke including the village of Flamborough and also, west of Danes Dyke, the neighbouring settlements of Bempton, Buckton and Speeton on the north side of the headland and Sewerby on the south.
FBO is also involved in creating and maintaining habitats for wildlife, and promoting conservation in the local community. Our annual events include a Seawatching Festival over a long weekend in late August and a nine-day ‘Migweek’ in mid-October.
The headland won the accolade of being the birdwatching site of the year by ‘Site of the Year’ title, in Birdwatch magazine’s Birders’ Choice Awards for 2021 and again after a stellar year in 2024. It is a testament to the work on the headland, together with our partners at Bempton Cliffs RSPB, in relation to conservation, public engagement and not least the field work of those who monitor bird populations and provide daily bird news updates.
As a registered charity, FBO’s work is wholly reliant upon the help and goodwill of our Friends and volunteers. If you would like to support us, please become a Friend of Flamborough Bird Observatory. You can join online in seconds by registering your personal details and payment here!