Mike Laycock does a little twitching at Bempton Cliffs.

What and where? Bempton Cliffs RSPB nature reserve, north of Bridlington.

Why? It’s the best place in England to see an astonishing array of seabirds, with more than 200,000 of them whirling around, screaming and nesting at this time of year – and all in the incredibly spectacular setting of sheer chalk cliffs that rise as high as 400 feet out of the sea.

There are gannets, guillemots, razorbills, kittiwakes and fulmars, and the stars of the show, the ridiculously cute puffins.

It’s mesmerising to watch the birds swooping and diving over the sea, and it’s also safe for families with children, as the RSPB has created a series of cliff-top viewing points with fences to stop anyone plunging over the edge. They’re also wheelchair accessible with care.

We regretted forgetting to bring a pair of binoculars during our recent visit, but a friendly bird-watcher was happy to lend us his, so we could see the birds clearly on their cliff-side perches.

Back at the RSPB shop and visitor centre, we saw the birds in close up via a cliff-top camera, which we controlled by hand and which fed moving images on to a giant screen.

When? You’ve got until August to see the seabirds in massive numbers, although the puffins will probably depart sooner.

How much? Parking costs £3.50, but entry is otherwise free. The visitor centre is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

More information by phone on 01262 851179 visit rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/b/bemptoncliffs