If you’re looking for a big day out, then the gannet colony at Bempton Cliffs should definitely be on your ‘To Do’ list.
Thousands of gannets make their home on these towering chalk cliffs between March and October, creating England’s largest mainland gannet colony.
Gannets are the UK’s biggest seabird with a wingspan of around six feet (2m). When airborne, they look spectacular, angel-like wings arched as they hover above the North Sea.
Until autumn, the RSPB’s award-winning nature reserve, between Bridlington and Scarborough, are celebrating their presence on the cliffs, big style.
Visitor Experience Manager, Sarah Aitken, explained:
‘Gannets definitely have star quality. Apart from their huge size, they’re a beautifully shaped bird – in the right light, they look almost as if they’re sculptured out of marble. And they have some remarkable features – like ‘hot feet’ for incubating their eggs and inbuilt ‘air bags’ to prevent impact damage when they dive for mackerel’.
A guided walk along the cliff tops will reveal more amazing gannet facts daily, starting at 11am. And that’s just for starters.
The visitor experience team has also developed a fun and fascinating Inspector Gannet Trail around the reserve so youngsters can become super wildlife sleuths and search for clues to find out who-dunnit.
Continuing throughout this month, gannet photography workshops are taking place giving amateurs the chance to get advice from award winning photographer, Steve Race. The gannets’ size and their striking black, white and yellow colouring make them a stunning subject for photographers of all abilities.
The team are also making a big ask, encouarging visitors to create a gannet out of a plastic milk bottle in an attempt to recreate the colony, bird for bird, within the Seabird Centre.
Sarah added:
‘The catering team has even got ‘Giant’ cookies that will go down a treat with a cuppa – so it’s going to be a big occasion all round’
For full details of activities and prices visit;
