Flamborough Head Light House and Cliffs In the North East Riding of Yorkshire
The sun shinning on the gleaming white edifice of the Flamborough Head Lighthouse dazzles the eyes, thou the wind from the North was chilly even for June. This is a working lighthouse which guards the passage between Scarborough and the local harbours as well as shipping further out in the North Sea.
The lights pierce the night sky, shinning off land but since sea navigation is all electronic these days the lights in the lighthouse are not revolving lights but LED’s which switch on and off to a timed beat.
The lights no longer illuminate houses and young lovers in cars as they once did when revolving (Looming).
The sea is claiming much of the coast roundabouts with the exception of the shinny white cliffs. The sea creatures and bird watching hide is closed too and looks abandoned perhaps awaiting the inevitable fall into the waves.
Cliff ledges have Guillemot’s and herring Gulls on them. Nesting finished now but they still congregate in groups. The juveniles flying together in groups can be seen skimming over the sea full of new life.
From those cliffs high above can be seen the seals basking in the shallows waiting for high tide. Their little heads bobbing up watching until all humankind has cleared their area and they feel safe.
The barking of the seals echo’s around the rocks in an eerily, ghostly manner sending shivers up your spine! The seals gather together to rest, arguing over who is getting too close. They like to be together but complain at each other about being so as they form a pod.
They use the incoming waves to help wash them up onto the beach to reach high ground. The swishing and rushing of the waves brings more seals as the tide gathers momentum. They look so lithe in the water and so ungainly lumbering heavily over the rocks and pebbles.
On the land above which is uncultivated grassland grows the Green Veined Orchid.
This lovely, rare plant grows on undisturbed grassland above the cliffs, it is a perennial and I am pleased to say that there were several dotted around .
And there were Roe Deer there also but well hidden and very shy, there was also a calf but it stayed hidden.
Who would have believed that a busy visitors attraction like Flamborough head held so much wonder and beauty!