Natural England Evidence Statement Regarding Kittiwake Count Data Used to Classify the Flamborough Head & Bempton Cliffs SPA (EIN050)

This briefing note provides evidence relating to the 1987 count of breeding seabirds at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs. The 1987 count of breeding black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs underpins both the original SPA designation for Flamborough and Bempton Cliffs SPA and also the baseline population size and Supplementary Advice on Conservation Objectives for the kittiwake feature at Flamborough and Filey Coast SPA (Natural England 2014). It is also an important part of the evidence base that Natural England uses when advising on potential impacts on the kittiwake feature of the SPA e.g. from offshore windfarm developments.
Natural England’s position on the validity of the 1987 count of breeding kittiwake at Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs has been challenged on several occasions in recent years. This document sets out Natural England’s position regarding the 1987 count data and the evidence base that supports this position and its continued use.