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
- 16th May 2025
Overcast with a moderate northerly wind and a high of 12 degrees C. Three summer-plumaged Great Northern Divers flew north during a morning seawatch that also witnessed 16 Sandwich Terns, 218 Puffins and six Manx Shearwaters moving in the same direction. A Hobby over the outer head was the only… - 15th May 2025
Largely overcast until late afternoon sunshine, with a blustery northerly wind gradually relenting and a peak of 13 degrees C. Seawatch highlights included a summer-plumaged Great Northern Diver and 22 Manx Shearwaters flying north. Elsewhere, a Blue Fulmar flew north past RSPB Bempton Cliffs. A creamcrown Marsh Harrier overflew the… - 14th May 2025A moderate northerly blew all day bringing full cloud cover during the morning clearing for a sunny afternoon and evening. Maximum temperature 14°C. Seawatching highlights involved two Great Northern Divers, two Manx Shearwaters, a ‘Blue’ Fulmar, a single Whimbrel and 12 Common Scoter. Yesterday’s six Spoonbills passed over the lighthouse…
- 13th May 2025Anticyclonic weather continues to dominate. A light to moderate north-easterly and a maximum temperature of 16°C. Seawatching featured four Tufted Ducks, 15 Sandwich Terns and two Manx Shearwaters. Migrant waders included a Whimbrel and two Common Sandpipers. A Shoveler remained at Palmer’s Flash. Six Spoonbills passed over Thornwick Pools during…
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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!