Bird Island

Island in Yorkshire Ribble Valley

England

Bird Island

View of Forest of Bowland from near Stocks Reservoir The view shows the River Hodder just after it flows into the Stocks reservoir. It flows south to join the River Ribble. The hills in the distance are part of the Forest of Bowland — View of Forest of Bowland from near Stocks Reservoir Credit: Rod Grealish

Bird Island, Yorkshire is a small, uninhabited island located off the coast of Flamborough Head in East Yorkshire, England. Situated within the North Sea, it is renowned for its abundant birdlife and breathtaking natural beauty. The island is roughly 1.5 hectares in size and is accessible only by boat.

Bird Island is a protected nature reserve, managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). It is an important breeding ground for a wide variety of seabirds, including puffins, gannets, kittiwakes, razorbills, and guillemots. These birds nest on the cliffs and rocky outcrops of the island, creating a vibrant and noisy bird colony during the breeding season.

The island's cliffs are particularly striking, towering up to 30 meters high and providing a dramatic backdrop for the nesting birds. The surrounding waters are also home to a diverse range of marine life, making Bird Island a popular spot for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and birdwatchers.

Due to its remote location and protected status, access to Bird Island is limited. However, boat trips and guided tours are available from nearby Flamborough Head, allowing visitors to observe the bird colony from a safe distance. The RSPB also operates a viewing platform on the mainland, offering visitors an opportunity to see the birds through binoculars and telescopes.

Bird Island, Yorkshire is not only a haven for birds but also a testament to the importance of preserving and protecting our natural habitats. Its stunning vistas and vibrant bird population make it a must-visit destination for nature lovers and those seeking a unique and awe-inspiring experience in Yorkshire's coastal beauty.

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Bird Island Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 53.998174/-2.412066 or Grid Reference SD7355. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

View of Forest of Bowland from near Stocks Reservoir

The view shows the River Hodder just after it flows into the Stocks reservoir. It flows south to join the River Ribble. The hills in the distance are part of the Forest of Bowland

Rod Grealish

River Hodder entering Stocks Reservoir

The photo shows the point at which the River Hodder enters the Stocks Reservoir. The reservoir is at a particularly low level. It was opened in 1932 and supplies Blackpool and the Fylde coast. There are a number of waymarked forest walks and cycle routes. Trout fishing is available.

Rod Grealish

Gisburn Forest track

A left turn to the north makes this easy-going teack a little harder as it is now gently uphill. Most of the forestry tracks are like this - low gradient and not too challenging for those on mountain bikes so old that suspension was not deemed necessary (at my age I want all the power I can generate to go into actual forward progress, not into compressing shock absorbers).

Andy Waddington

The entrance to Gisburn Forest Hub

From Hole House Lane, which used to be a very quiet road, the entrance to Gisburn Forest Hub and the Stephen Park Centre now attracts a lot more traffic than when I last passed this way (probably over thirty years ago). The track leads to probably the biggest car park in the forest, and the sign suggest that it is not a free one (I didn't park here, so cannot vouch for this). Beyond the car park, the network of tracks become essentially traffic-free and is popular with moountain bikers.

Andy Waddington

Track to Brookhouse Green

A brief break from mountain biking to nip down the track to Brookhouse Green and the square just beyond it on foot, as this is a public footpath, not a bridleway. A shower had just scudded past - enough to quickly don a waterproof, but not really enough to actually get wet, so it was back off in time for the rainbow which ensued a few minutes later.

Andy Waddington

Track between Rain Gill and Brookhouse Green

A brief sunny interlude after a short light shower gives nice light and shade on this farm track, looking towards Brookhouse Green and the way back to the minor road from Clapham to Slaidburn.

Andy Waddington

St. James' Church, Dalehead

A sign by the path in, on the left (west) says "Dalehead Church and Heritage Centre". Heritage possibly doesn't need a lot of energy - the centre has a wind turbine, but it seems to be well below tree-top height, which must limit its ability to kick out power. On the bright side, not many people seem to die here - it's an extensive graveyard with very few headstones.

Andy Waddington

Tiny stream in Gisburn Forest

A public footpath leaves School Lane to head northwest into the forest, but is scarcely visible on the ground. Crossing this stream, it climbs the muddy bank above to meet a recently made decent path, where the public right of way follows it for a short while towards Stocks reservoir before resuming its course into the forest and becoming totally vague once more. The new path also continues northeast, not a right of way but clearly much more frequented than the public footpath itself. Downhill, the new path passes into the open near the shore of the reservoir, and quite close to the car park at the corner of School Lane.

Andy Waddington

Bird hide above the shore of Stocks Reservoir

Tucked away on the edge of the forest, overlooking the shore of Stocks Reservoir, United Utilities have provided this and at least one other wildlife hide. It really is quite well concealed, whilst offering a clear view over many geese at the upstream end of the water (at least today). A barbed wire fence effectively deters one from getting any closer to the water, or, indeed, getting a clearer picture of the hide itself.

Andy Waddington

Footpath to White Hill House

A small car park on a corner of School Lane (room for four cars, maybe five if carefully packed) serves this rather wet and muddy footpath heading into Gisburn Forest. The forest is popular with off-road cyclists, but this trail is one of those explicitly signed with a cycling prohibition which suited me fine - I wanted a nice wide track, thanks, and headed a little further south for my ride.

Andy Waddington