St Bees Head RSPB reserve

St Bees Head RSPB Reserve
Nature reserve
Guillemots on the North Head
Country England
County Cumbria
Elevation 90 m (295 ft)
Geology Sandstone
For public Open year round
Protection status SSSI, Heritage Coast
Website: St Bees Head

St Bees Head RSPB Reserve at St Bees Head, Cumbria, is a coastal site which provides a home for thousands of seabirds under the care of the RSPB. The birds include kittiwakes, fulmars, guillemots, razorbills, cormorants, puffins, shags and herring gulls. It is the only breeding place in England for black guillemots.[1]

Several other birds are known to use this site regularly for breeding and these include the tawny owl, sparrowhawk, peregrine, raven and the rock pipit, which is known to breed in only one other site in Cumbria.[2]

In partnership with Natural England, the National Trust and local government authorities, the RSPB has also been involved in a project to improve coastal habitats outside the reserve. One aim is to have suitable grassland to support the return of the chough.[3]


Facilities

Viewing Point

There are observation stations on the North Head footpath.[4] The cliffs rise to 90 metres and visitors are advised to take care when approaching the edge.

Protection designations

St Bees Head is:

The geographical limits to SSSI selection stop at mean low water spring tides, and essential areas for foraging seabirds cannot be protected through the existing SSSI mechanism. However, the sea off St Bees Head is part of the Cumbria Coast Marine Conservation Zone (designated 2013).[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Call to protect our seabird population". Whitehaven News. 14 October 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2016.
  2. 1 2 SSSI citation for St Bees Head
  3. ↑ "The Colourful Coast Project". Retrieved 3 November 2016.
  4. ↑ "Whitehaven Colourful Coastal Walk". National Trust. Retrieved 3 November 2016.
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