Short birdwatching visit · RSPB
St Bees Head
St Bees · CA27 0EN
St Bees Head is a spring and early-summer seabird destination on the Cumbrian coast. Fulmar, Guillemot, Kittiwake and Herring Gull use the cliffs, while public North Head viewpoints provide the established watching places. The open coastal setting suits a sustained seabird watch combined with a walk, but the paths are steep and uneven. A landslip has closed the public footpath between St Bees shore car park and Fleswick Bay. The RSPB lists alternative walking approaches from Sandwith and from Whitehaven or Kells; plan around that closure and stay behind the cliff-edge boundaries.
Birds and seasons
- Fulmar — Typically spring and summer
- Guillemot — Typically spring and early summer
- Kittiwake — Typically spring and summer
- Herring Gull — Typically year-round
Plan your visit
- Hides and viewpoints
- Three public viewing platforms on North Head overlook the seabird cliffs.
- Paths
- The St Bees–Fleswick path is closed after landslips; use an authorised alternative approach.
- Toilets
- There are no toilets on the headland reserve; council facilities are at St Bees shore.
- Parking
- Council pay-and-display parking is at St Bees shore, but its usual onward cliff path is currently closed.
- Dogs
- Dogs are permitted on leads on public paths and bridleways.
- Accessibility
- Coastal routes include steep ground, wet rock and loose material.
Getting there: St Bees has a station; confirm an open public approach from Sandwith, Whitehaven or Kells before travelling.
Sources
Social preview photograph: Common Starling standing in grass in Oxfordshire. Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and converted for the preview.
Continue birding nearby
Nearest full guide: RSPB Hodbarrow, 24.3 miles away in a straight line.