Elevation 90 m | Phone +44 16973 51330 | |
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Address Beach Rd, Saint Bees CA27 0EN, UK Hours Open today ยท Open 24 hoursFridayOpen 24 hoursSaturdayOpen 24 hoursSundayOpen 24 hoursMondayOpen 24 hoursTuesdayOpen 24 hoursWednesdayOpen 24 hoursThursdayOpen 24 hoursSuggest an edit Management Royal Society for the Protection of Birds Similar Saint Bees Head Heritage, The Rum Story, West Lakes Academy, Lowes Court Gallery, Croft Hill Guest House | ||
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.
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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.
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.
Facilities
There are observation stations on the North Head footpath. 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).