The Village Community Website for

F L A M B O R O U G H

Welcome to Flamborough

Navigation: Groups - F.O.G Bird Observatory.

FLAMBOROUGH ORNITHOLOGICAL GROUP - BIRD OBSERVATORY

Flamborough Head is the newest accredited Bird Observatory in the British Isles. It joins a network of 17 observatories under the Bird Observatories Council which covers the British Isles from Fair Isle in the north and Portland in the south to Cape Clear in the west of Ireland.

The real importance at Flamborough is the geographical position. The Head stands far out into the North Sea making it a good landfall for migrating birds, particularly those from the far north arriving in the autumn, to winter both in Britain, and further south.

The 'jewel in the crown' at Flamborough is the Seawatching from the end of the Head. This position is so far out into the North Sea, that migrating seabirds, passing the end of the Head are often very close, as they move along the coast.

The habitat on the Head is varied, with hedgerows, small woodland areas, open fields and small reed-beds. There are public footpaths in many areas, which enable the public to observe the birds, using the Head, often from close quarters.

In the autumn, during migration, the Head can experience significant 'falls' of migrants, where every hedge, wood and field seems to heave with birds, and large flocks can be observed coming in off the sea.

Rare birds are often seen and over the years a large and varied species list has been compiled for the birds recorded at Flamborough.

During the summer months, substantial numbers of breeding seabirds use the cliffs on the Head, including Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Shag, Kittiwake and Herring Gull.

BIRD RINGING ON THE HEAD
An important aspect of migration study is the ringing of birds Ringing is carried out on the Head through-out the year under the control of the East Yorkshire Ringing Group.

There are a number of regular ringing sites scattered over the Head and these are used dependant on wind direction, bird numbers on the sites and available methods of trapping.

All the ringing data is passed to the British Trust for Ornithology, who manage and monitor the national Bird Ringing Database Visiting ringers are welcome on the Head and should contact the Ringer-in-Charge through the Observatory Secretary.

ACCOMMODATION
Because Flamborough is a holiday resort, there is ample accommodation to suit all pockets, from camping and caravan parks, to bed & breakfast and good standard hotels Some of the accommodation is seasonal but there is accommodation available in the area all year round The Observatory Secretary can provide a list of options to anyone enquiring about a visit to the Head, either to bird watch or to ring.

HELPING THE OBSERVATORY
Bird watchers who visit Flamborough can contribute to the recording of the birds by supplying their records to the Recorder, through the Secretary All observations are appreciated, and help towards the monitoring of bird movement and breeding, within the Observatory recording area.

THE FLAMBOROUGH YEAR
January/February- White-winged Gulls, Divers, Red-necked Grebe, Snow Bunting, Lapland Bunting
March- Beginning of migration. Black Redstart, Firecrest, Chiffchaff, Wheatear, Ring Ouzel Sandwich Tern
April- Main arrival of summer visitors. Willow Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whinchat
May- Expect to see, Icterine and Marsh Warbler, Red- backed Shrike, Bluethroat
June- Breeding seabirds
July- Beginning of autumn passage, both passerines and seabirds, Storm Petrel ringing
August- Skuas, Sooty and other Shearwaters, Barred Warbler, Red-backed Shrike, Pied Flycatcher
September/October- Main migration on both land and sea. Large falls of passerines possible. Main migration ringing time.
November- Little Auk and late seabirds. Dusky and Pallas's Warbler possible.
December- Divers and Grebes, Shorelark and Twite

for further information try our web-site
www.flamborough.org

This website has been set up by Flamborough Community Environmental Action Group with funding through:

English Nature and The Shell Better Britain Campaign.