The breeding seabirds of Flamborough Headland once supplied the local community with a steady supply of fresh eggs. These were collected by "climmers", who, using just a harness and a single rope, abseiled down the sheer cliff faces to collect guillemot, razorbill and kittiwake eggs. They were always careful not to over-harvest, leaving every third egg to ensure supplies for the following year. Once back on the cliff top, the eggs were carefully sorted, with some being taken home for eating and others being auctioned off to egg collectors. Some were even sold for use in sugar refining and the manufacture of patent leather. The collecting of bird eggs is now illegal, but for centuries prior to the Wild Birds Protection Act 1954, climming not only provided families with food, but also generated a small but much needed income.

Today, the cliffs of Flamborough Headland are one of the best places in England to experience the hustle and bustle of a breeding seabird colony, and are now under the protection of both the RSPB and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. The cliffs are home to breeding kittiwake, guillemot, razorbill, puffin, fulmar, herring gull and shag, alongside England's only mainland gannet colony.

A visit to the Headland in summer is an experience you will never forget. The sight, sound and even smell of 200,000 breeding seabirds will remain with you forever!