by Martin Blick
Being visible from many parts of Cleveland, Roseberry Topping is a significant presence on the S edge of the county. Access is from Newton-under-Roseberry, along A173 between Guisborough and Great Ayton (car park at NZ571128) or on foot across Guisborough Moor and Forest areas.
If approaching from Newton-under-Roseberry, the footpath can be muddy and climbs through some spectacular oak woodland, known as Newton Woods, which is one of the few places in Cleveland that holds the Purple Hairstreak butterfly.
The birds of the woods include Green Woodpecker and Nuthatch, Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher in some summers, and Pied Flycatcher once (in 1983). Red Kites have been seen here and can be expected to colonise the area soon, hopefully.
The path up to Roseberry Topping, once above Newton Woods, is quite steep and can be very slippery in winter, but the view from the top is stunning on a clear day.
Jackdaws can be found on the cliff face, and breed here, but Fulmar, having bred here in the recent past, seem to have deserted their favourite ledges. The surrounding area can be good for Ring Ouzels when they are “on the move” in April, and Tree Pipits have been recorded singing in most recent summers.
The rarest bird to be seen here was a male Black-eared Wheatear in June 1915.
Feb 2019