A Coastal walk alongside England's biggest seabird city
12 people attending
8 places left
Excited about seeing nesting sea birds? This is a lovely area of the Yorkshire coastline to walk along, that just happens to be the biggest nesting site for sea birds in England. (source: RSPB Bempton)
An easy and linear route that heads along East Yorkshire’s stunning chalk cliffs of Thornwick Nab, Cat Nab, Scale Nab, Wandale Nab Crab Rocks, Gull Nook and Mazey Shelves, who knew they all had names?
We’ll walk along the coastal footpath to RSPB Bempton, where you can see the breeding birds fly overhead or from the sea feeding grounds into their nesting points clinging to the cliffs, or their grass burrows. If you’re lucky enough you may spot the puffins. There are information boards and further viewing platforms at Bempton, where there’ll be an opportunity for a refreshment break at the cafe before we head back along the same route in reverse giving twice the opportunity to take photos and take in the sea views. You might want to bring a zoom camera or binoculars to get really close. I have, however, just taken the pictures here included with a regular phone camera. Total distance there and back is about 10km (6 miles).
Image credits: all photos provided are taken by the event leader, and OutdoorLads has permission to use them.
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What to bring
This is a leisurley walk not straying too far from civilisation, but can be very breezy, and cold still in mid-late May, so bring layers, and a wind proof, and a hat, and waterproofs if rain is expected. So a bag or rucksack to carry these in if not wearing.
Bring sunscreen / sunshade if hot and sunny, as there is no shade on the route until the cafe stop.
Wear comfortable walking shoes/ trainers or boots, but the route is all on public footpaths that are fairly flat. We may explore down a slippery path that can get wet from sea waves crashing on rocks, or can be partly muddly, so something with good grip if you want to do this short extra exploring route for the more agile.
Bring your phone, a camera or binoculars if you want to take pictures and get up close to the wildlife behind a lense.
Or follow the standard kit list which is closest to a leisure walk:
Water: bring at least a litre
Medicines: if you have hay fever, diabetes, minor ailments etc.
Rucksack: or any other bag
Footwear: hiking boots, sturdy trainers
Layered clothing: lets you quickly adapt to changes in the weather and body temperature. Go for a base layer (vest or t-shirt) and a mid layer (a micro fleece or shirt) and in cooler weather add an outer layer (a windproof jacket or thick fleece)
Trousers: ideally not jeans which become heavy and cold in the rain, breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry and on warm days shorts are OK
Waterproof jacket: breathable fabrics are more comfortable and dry
Hat or cap: stay warm in winter and shaded in summer
Sunglasses: for any sunny day, even in winter
Sun cream: can be useful even on cloudy and winter days
Snacks: bring biscuits, energy bars, gels, bananas, chocolate or dried fruit for example and put them somewhere easy to get hold of
Lunch: bring a packed lunch unless otherwise stated
Food & drink
You may want to bring water and a packed lunch and snacks. There is a cafe halfway along the route at RSPB Bempton where you can get provisions/ lunch and cakes etc. where we will stop, although there is seating outside suitable for eating a picnic.