The area above Selwicks Bay (but below the clifftop) is known as the Bay Brambles, and stretches from below the lighthouse in the east to the bay’s northerly limit. Much of the scrub here is thick and often impenetrable, but the paths along the clifftop and down to the bay itself offer good views, many of which look down over the area.
Bay Brambles is a legendary migrant trap which is right on the frontline for receiving freshly-arrived migrants in spring and autumn. It’s a favourite site for Stonechat, Whinchat and Black Redstart, flycatchers and various warblers utilise its vital ‘first-base’ cover, and the area has a roll-call of mouth-watering vagrants to its name which include Blyth’s Reed Warbler, White-throated Sparrow and Melodious Warbler amongst many others.
Top tip – Start your search by checking the willows by the golf course first thing in the morning before they’re disturbed. Use the the pill box just east of here as an ideal vantage point to view the scrub.
Access and Directions – Bay Brambles are located beside the Lighthouse car park (pay and display) and are easily accessed from here. Park there and use the paths along and leading down from the cliff-top. Access is unrestricted year-round (but note the paths can be very muddy in autumn and winter).