Birdwatching in East Yorkshire

Seabird colonies, farmland specialists, estuary waders, and one of Britain's top migration hotspots — all within reach of the cottage.

East Yorkshire is one of the finest birdwatching regions in England. The chalk cliffs at Bempton host the country's largest mainland seabird colony. Spurn Point, at the tip of the Humber spit, is a legendary migration watchpoint. The Humber estuary supports internationally important numbers of wading birds and wildfowl. And the farmland around the cottage itself holds species — barn owl, corn bunting, grey partridge — that have become scarce elsewhere in Britain.

Birds Around the Cottage

You don't need to drive anywhere for rewarding birdwatching. The arable farmland around the cottage supports a community of birds that has become increasingly uncommon in lowland England. Conservation efforts on the Wolds have helped maintain populations that have crashed elsewhere.

Barn owls are the star turn. They hunt the field margins and hedgerow strips around the farm, quartering the ground with that distinctive wavering flight. They're most active at dusk and dawn, and you can often watch them from the cottage garden. Winter afternoons bring them out earlier, sometimes in broad daylight when they need to hunt harder to survive the cold.

Yellowhammers sing from hedgerow perches throughout spring and summer — the repetitive "little bit of bread and no cheese" phrase is one of the most characteristic sounds of the Wolds. Corn buntings, another declining farmland species, are present on the higher ground, their jangling song carrying across the open fields.

Grey partridges — the native species, not the introduced red-legged variety — survive on the Wolds in better numbers than most parts of England. You'll see them scurrying along field edges, often in coveys of 8-12 birds. Skylarks pour their song down from the sky over every open field from March to July. Buzzards and kestrels are common raptors overhead.

Bempton Cliffs

Bempton Cliffs RSPB reserve, about 25 miles north-east of the cottage, is the most spectacular birdwatching destination in the region. Between April and August, over 500,000 seabirds pack the 400-foot chalk cliffs to breed.

The gannets are the most dramatic — dazzling white birds with a 6-foot wingspan, diving vertically into the sea from great heights. This is the only gannet colony on the English mainland. Guillemots and razorbills crowd the ledges in dense ranks. Kittiwakes nest in every available crevice. And the puffins — small, colourful, and irresistibly charming — waddle and flutter around the cliff faces from April to mid-July.

The reserve has six viewing platforms along the cliff edge, each offering different perspectives. The visitor centre has telescopes, information, and refreshments. Binoculars improve the experience significantly, but the birds are close enough to enjoy with the naked eye.

Spurn Point

Spurn is one of Britain's most famous birdwatching sites, and for good reason. The narrow spit of land jutting into the Humber acts as a funnel for migrating birds, concentrating species that might pass unnoticed across the broader countryside. During autumn migration (August to November), almost anything can turn up.

Regular autumn migrants include warblers, flycatchers, redstarts, wheatears, and ring ouzels. Rarities from Siberia and further afield appear with remarkable frequency — Spurn's bird log reads like a roll call of species that shouldn't really occur in Britain. Even if you're not a dedicated rarity hunter, the sheer volume of birds on a good autumn day is impressive.

Spring migration (April to May) is less dramatic but still rewarding. Winter brings short-eared owls, snow buntings, and vast flocks of wading birds on the Humber mudflats.

The National Trust manages the site. The walk to the tip of the spit takes about 90 minutes each way. About 50 minutes' drive from the cottage.

The Humber Estuary

The Humber estuary is designated as a Special Protection Area for its internationally important bird populations. At high tide, the mudflats host enormous flocks of wading birds — knot, dunlin, redshank, curlew, and bar-tailed godwit in thousands. In winter, wildfowl including brent geese, wigeon, and teal add to the spectacle.

Good viewing points include Blacktoft Sands RSPB reserve (on the south bank), the Humber Bridge area, and various points along the north bank between Hull and Spurn. High tide pushes the birds closer to the shore, making it the best time for watching.

Hornsea Mere

Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake sits just inland from Hornsea, about 30 minutes from the cottage. The mere and its surrounding reedbeds attract a good variety of species. Breeding birds include great crested grebes, reed warblers, and various duck species. Winter brings visiting wildfowl, and the reedbeds host roosting starlings in spectacular numbers during late autumn.

Seasonal Guide

• Spring (March-May): Arriving summer migrants, seabird breeding season begins at Bempton, dawn chorus at its peak
• Summer (June-August): Seabird colonies in full swing, farmland birds feeding young, late migrants passing through
• Autumn (September-November): Peak migration at Spurn, wading birds building on the Humber, starling murmurations begin
• Winter (December-February): Estuary wildfowl and waders at peak numbers, barn owls hunting by day, short-eared owls on the coast

For coastal day trips that include birdwatching, see our Yorkshire coast guide. For general walking routes that pass through good bird habitat, browse our walking guide.