Migrants Way. Stage 15. Sewerby to South Landing

A sunny, warm day with a light breeze. The sea is flat and its high tide when I start the walk on the cliff by Sewerby steps so I take the clifftop path to start with. Finally, the route gets me to the chalk cliffs I've been watching in the horizon for weeks. At Sewerby, I meet the Headland Way, a 26 km coastal clifftop footpath from Bridlington to Filey, which I'll follow the rest of the way. 

Flamborough Head
Flamborough Headland is an impressive landmark of the British coast. Formed by vertical Cretaceous chalk cliffs, it juts 10 km into the sea between Bridlington and Filey bays. The south side of the peninsula has a relatively straight coastline and the cliffs are of lower height (30-40 m), whereas at the more exposed north side there are small bays, with caves, arches and stacks. The cliffs reach their maximum height at Buckton (135 m OSL). Flamborough Head is highly protected, designated as a Special Area of Conservation for vegetated sea cliffs, chalk reefs and caves; Special Protection Area for its breeding seabirds; SSSI and a European Marine Site, with a ‘no take zone’ and a Heritage Coast. Additional protection figures include three Local Nature Reserves (Danes Dyke, South Landing and Flamborough Outer Headland), RSPB Bempton Cliffs and YWT Flamborough Cliffs.

Unlike some of the previous walks, I know and love Flamborough and I've been visiting it regularly for years, however, I've never walked the stretch between Sewerby and Danes Dyke and I tend to visit more in the winter and spring than in summer. I pass by an enclosure at Sewerby Hall with Fallow Deer, where a male Kestrel hunts from a tree.

Fallow Deer at Sewerby Hall.

The clifftop path then runs by a golf course. A stretch of grassland by the clifftop and patches of rough ground add interest. Only the views from this stretch of cliff are worth the walk: the whole of Bridlington Bay early on, then the cliffs of Flamborough and the ravine of Danes Dyke.

The headland ahead, with the woodland of Danes Dyke on the left.

Danes Dyke

It is dark and fresh when entering the wooded ravine of Danes Dyke, where I take a detour. The ferns are at their best, despite the lack of water in the creek. I see two Treecreepers and a Nuthach. This is probably the only place in Holderness where you can see Nuthatches regularly. Danes Dyke is a local nature reserve, SSSI and a Scheduled Ancient Monument due to the Bronze Age dyke that takes advantage of the drop of the natural ravine. The stretch of coast between Sewerby and Danes Dyke is a no take zone.

The view of the cliffs just before descending onto Danes Dyke.

The ravine at Danes Dyke, now dry.

I climb the steps from the bottom of the ravine to rejoin the clifftop path. In a small scrubby ravine a family of Whitethroats notes their displeasure at my presence. 

A young Whitethroat.

 

Looking back towards Danes Dyke.

A gang of Carrion Crows mobs a Buzzard near Beacon Hill. I'm getting close to South Landing.

Flamborough Butterflies

The butterflies are out in the sunshine. These are just a few I saw.

A Speckled Wood resting on the hand rail of one of Danes Dyke paths.

At least four Wall Browns basking and flying along the footpath between Danes Dyke and South Landing.

Green-Veined White at South Landing.

At South Landing, I first descend the steps and then climb up to to take the woodland footpath. A Migrant Hawker hunts in a grassy clearing. 

I get back for lunch to the beach. The tide is now low enough that I can do the return walk on the beach. I'm hoping from breeding Fulmars. Although I have seen two from the clifftop I fail to spot any nests. The beach is made of large chalk rocks, but near the ravine there is enough sand, and the walking becomes easier. At the lower beach platform, on the exposed rock pools and sea weed beds there are Oystercatchers, a few Redshank, Ringed Plover, Turnstones, a Curlew and plenty of Crows and gulls. 

Looking back towards South Landing.

Danes Dyke.

A Rock Pipit looks on.

Well, I had never seen a cormorant resting atop the cliff!

A very worn Meadow Pipit with a beak full of caterpillars (thanks to James Spencer for the ID).

Featured Bird: House Martin

House Martins, relatives of Barn Swallows, are one of our most familiar summer migrants. Although most nest under eaves in houses and other buildings Flamborough is one of the places where House Martins still nest in their ancestral nest sites: cliffs. There are small scattered colonies at North Landing, Thornwick Bay, and on my way back I was very pleased to find some more occupied nests at Sewerby Rocks, taking advantage of overhanging cliff ledges. House Martins are amber listed in the UK due to population and range declines.  

Walk Information
9 km. Start at Sewerby Steps TA201686. Finish at South Landing. Pay and Display at North Beach car park nearby. It is possible to walk along the beach in the south side of the Flamborough headland, but only attempt in ebbing tides and when there is enough space at the bottom of the cliff. Note though, that the upper beach is made of large chalk rocks, that makes for slow progress, and focused walk. Parts of the lower beach are sandy, and easier going, but beware slippery weed-covered slabs. Access to beach at Sewerby steps, Danes Dyke and South Landing. Toilets at Danes Dyke and South Landing Living Seas Centre.