Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2007 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('key species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla | VU | breeding (2000) | 42,692 breeding pairs | A4i, B1i, C3 |
| Razorbill Alca torda | LC | breeding (2000) | 8,539 individuals | A4ii, B1ii, B3, C3 |
| Common Murre Uria aalge | LC | breeding (2000) | 46,685 individuals | B1ii, C3 |
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | n/a | breeding (1999–2000) | 43,522 breeding pairs | A4iii, C4 |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | breeding (1999–2000) | 43,445 breeding pairs | A4iii, C4 |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2007. The most recent assessment (2007) is shown below.
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2007 | unfavourable | low | medium |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | population | good | |
| State (condition of the key species' populations) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species | Actual vs Reference (units) | % remaining | Result | ||
| Black-legged Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla | 42,692 / 75,000 (breeding pairs) | 57 | unfavourable | ||
| Atlantic Puffin Fratercula arctica | 2,615 / 6,000 (breeding pairs) | 44 | unfavourable | ||
| Razorbill Alca torda | 8,539 / 11,194 (individuals) | 77 | near favourable | ||
| Common Murre Uria aalge | 46,685 / 44,776 (individuals) | 100 | favourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - seabirds | 43,522 / 46,120 (breeding pairs) | 95 | favourable | ||
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | 43,445 / 76,010 (breeding pairs) | 58 | unfavourable | ||
| Pressure (threats to the key species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Biological resource use | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | no deterioration (<1% over 3 generations) | low |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (within 4 years) | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow deterioration (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the key species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | medium |
| Year | Protected Area | Designation (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | Bempton Cliffs | RSPB Reserve (-) | 6 |
| 1969 | Bempton Cliffs | Nature Reserve (IV) | 2 |
| 1986 | Flamborough Head | Site of Special Scientific Interest (UK) (IV) | 100 |
| 1989 | Flamborough Headland | Heritage Coast (V) | 100 |
| 2002 | Flamborough Outer Headland | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 2 |
| 2002 | South Landing | Local Nature Reserve (IV) | 1 |
| 2005 | Flamborough Head | Marine Protected Area (OSPAR) (UA) | 70 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | - | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | - | |
| Marine Neritic | - |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| agriculture | - |
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
| urban/industrial/transport | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2025) Important Bird Area factsheet: Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs (United Kingdom). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/flamborough-head-and-bempton-cliffs-iba-united-kingdom on 06/01/2025.