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.
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 and Marton 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.
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!
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Latest Sightings
- 21st October 2024The weather consisted of sunny intervals, a light/moderate south-west wind and a high of 14 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included three Whooper Swans, 123 Little Gulls, two Mediterranean Gulls, a first-winter Caspian Gull and a Great Northern Diver all moving south. Elsewhere, an additional nine Whooper Swans were recorded along…
- 20th October 2024The weather consisted of strong southerly winds, rain during the morning followed by a dryer afternoon and a high of 16 degrees C. RSPB Bempton Cliffs continued to host the Red-flanked Bluetail that proved relatively cooperative in the afternoon; single Whooper Swan, first-winter Caspian Gull and Yellow-browed Warbler were also…
- 19th October 2024Heavy rain in the morning preceded sunny intervals, very light winds and a high of 15 degrees C. The Red-flanked Bluetail remained at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, as did the Pallas’s Warbler near the lighthouse. Thornwick Pools hosted two Water Rails and a Jack Snipe. Short-eared Owls were also recorded in…
- 18th October 2024A foggy morning was followed by brighter skies, with a high of 15 degrees C in south-westerly winds. The Red-flanked Bluetail and Little Bunting were still at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and the Pallas’s Warbler near the lighthouse. Six Great White Egrets that flew south from the outer head represented a…