RSPB Bempton Cliffs

RSPB Bempton Cliffs has so many birds to offer, but being able to get up close and personal with these birds in their nesting habitat is one of the key attractions for me. With many ledges built out of the cliff you can see down on to the birds and get very close as they fly by at eye level.

These Guillemots were happy enough being closely packed in, but made a constant din of noise just to ward off their neighbours in case they got too close.

Below you can see a Bridled Guillemot with a white ring around its eye. It looks like it's wearing glasses.

The very good looking Kittiwake

The stiff winged Fulmar soaring on the thermals over the cliffs

Guillemots on the Farnes

I don't get to see Guillemots very often. Mainly because I don't live near the coastal areas where they can be found. It usually requires a special trip out. As I knew that I'd be going to the Farne Islands I put off any earlier trips. 

They're a very smart looking sea bird and they are in very good numbers on the Farnes. They make quite a noise too. They have a lovely chocolate brown top half and white below. The occasional Bridled Guillemot can be found. These have a white eye ring and a white line extending behind the eye. They look like they are wearing spectacles.

Bridled Guillemot (right)

Guillemots - The Farnes

Guillemots were in there thousands on and around the Farne Islands. A lovely dark chocolate brown and white bird, that sits on the rocks almost penguin like. They stay close together in their colonies alongside Razorbills and Kittiwakes. They can make quite a noise as they squabble with their neighbours.
They have been leaving the nest sights in the last couple of weeks, as they take their young out to sea to fatten up.

A small percentage of Guillemots have a white ring around the eye and a white line down towards the nape. These are Bridled Guillemots. These birds are still of the same race and not classed as a subspecies. The slight variation is quite striking though.

Common Guillemot

The Bridled variety.

A short phone video just to give you an idea of the noise on Staple Island.