Wildlife

Seabirds & Coastal Cliffs

What you might see

Gannet — iconic white cliff diver, spring–summer breeder
Razorbill — black and white auks on rocky ledges
Guillemot — crowded colonies on narrow cliff edges
Peregrine falcon — fastest bird in the world, hunting from cliffs
Fulmar — stoic cliff nester, year-round presence
Kittiwake — delicate gull, returns to same nest site yearly

Best time to visit

springColonies return to breed from March onwards. Gannets are back. Noise and activity peak through April and May.

summerPeak breeding season. Chicks visible on ledges. Dramatic activity through June–July. Fledging occurs August.

autumnColonies disperse as chicks fledge. September sees last of summer activity. Birds head offshore.

winterCliffs quieter. Fulmar and occasional overwintering birds remain. Storm-driven sightings possible.

Wildlife to look out for

Species highlights

Gannet

Bird· Magnificent white cliff diver

Razorbill

Bird· Black and white auk with distinctive bill

Guillemot

Bird· Crowded ledge breeder

Peregrine Falcon

Bird· Fastest animal on Earth — hunts from cliffs

Fulmar

Bird· Stoic northern wanderer — year-round

Kittiwake

Bird· Delicate gull — loyal to cliff home

Cormorant

Bird· Black water-loving diver

Shag

Bird· Sleeker cormorant cousin

On the ground

Good areas for wildlife

Morte Point, Devon

Accessible headland with gannet spotting and seal activity offshore.

Baggy Point, Devon

Dramatic red sandstone cliffs. Gannets, razorbills, guillemots, and peregrine.

Hartland Quay, Devon

Spectacular geology. Good seabird vantage and fulmar colonies.

Tintagel, Cornwall

Iconic Arthurian cliffs. One of Britain's most dramatic seabird sites.

The Lizard, Cornwall

Southernmost point. Peregrine and rare seabirds. Seal haul-outs below.

Exmouth to Sidmouth, Devon

Red sandstone cliffs with seabird viewing and coastal walking.

Plan your visit

Wildlife through the year

Spring

Return to the cliffs
Gannets arrive from March. Razorbills and guillemots return. Nest-building underway.
Peregrine courtship
Spring sees dramatic cliff-side chases and screaming territorial displays.
First eggs
Gannets and auks lay eggs through April and May.

Summer

Chicks on ledges
By June and July, chicks are visible — demanding food constantly.
Fledging begins
Gannets first, then auks through July and August. High drama and activity.
Peregrine hunting
Parents hunt constantly to feed hungry chicks. Daily kills visible.

Autumn

Dispersal
By September, colonies start breaking up. Most birds head offshore.
Fulmar persistence
Fulmar and occasional other species remain longer on cliffs.
Storm arrivals
Autumn gales can push seabirds closer to shore for observation.

Winter

Quiet cliffs
Most seabirds offshore. Fulmar and occasional winter birds present.
Peregrine resident
Some peregrines stay on cliffs year-round, hunting over moorland.
Storm watching
Winter gales can bring rare species close to the coast.

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