Birders asked to support Flamborough seawatching hide application
Working within conservation circles, I’m constantly aware of the important contributions each of us can make to enhance the natural world. That might be as simple as recording our local wildlife and providing this data to others, or through financial support for projects/conservation charities to allow those organisations to then lever in substantial external funding. Another increasingly important mechanism, especially since the advent of social media, is to demonstrate our support for initiatives through online mechanisms – decision makers really do take notice - this note is about one such request.
Flamborough is undoubtedly the best seawatching location in Yorkshire and, arguably, on the UK’s east coast. Morning seawatches have been conducted on an almost daily basis since the 1970s and this data has been instrumental in the designation of the Flamborough and Filey pSPA (Special Protection Area). The work of the observatory has highlighted the extraordinary numbers of Guillemots and other seabirds that winter in Flamborough’s inshore waters and that the number of wintering Shag that roost on the headland are of national significance. However, the outer headland’s exposure often results in the abandonment of seawatches conducted during the most inclement of conditions – ironically, often the most important times for the gathering of data.
For several years now, Flamborough Bird Observatory – one of 19 accredited observatories in the UK and Ireland – has been working closely with colleagues at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust’s Living Seas Centre to develop visitor infrastructure on the headland. The observatory website provides daily updates of sightings, a ringing room has been established within the Living Seas Centre and Thornwick Pools established as a valuable wetland reserve. However, a seawatching hide is a missing part of the jigsaw.
Eighteen months ago, the observatory secured sufficient funding to move a proposal forward. Ground engineers were consulted to identify a possible site, a design prepared by architects and considerable public support secured. However, objections from two organisations scuppered the project and we decided to withdraw the Planning Application. Importantly, this decision was a difficult one, with the planning officer highly complementary at the level of public support secured which he believed might be a critical factor in our favour. Undeterred, we have subsequently worked closely with the aforementioned organisations and a new site has been identified that satisfies both.
We now need to demonstrate public support for the revamped proposal through the comments section within the council’s online planning process. Yet again, we have been told that the scale of this support will be a critical factor in any decision. So all we kindly ask, if for people who are supportive of this exciting project to take a few minutes of their time to demonstrate such. Your help is extremely valuable and very much appreciated.
Thank you.
Craig Thomas
Flamborough Bird Observatory
To support the project please visit the planning application page
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