Bempton Cliffs

I always look forward to a visit to RSPB Bempton, on the East Yorkshire coast. It's a chance to get up close to our sea birds in their nesting habitat, and not looking at some floating dots in the distance. It's even better when the weather is good, and it was another hot one. The birds didn't disappoint either, with hundreds and thousands of Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Puffins all within touching distance as they went about their business of raising their young on the cliffs. The sights, sounds and smells are a real privilege to witness. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in wildlife and even those who don't.

You can see highlights of my trip here:

Fulmar

Gannet

Kittiwake

Puffins

Razorbills

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

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Last month I made a visit to Bempton cliffs with a couple of my birding friends. We were hoping to see the Black-browed Albatross that had been in the around for a couple of a few weeks. Unfortunately on the morning we went, it had decided to go AWOL, and wasn't seen at all that day. It has since returned, but is very hit and miss. I'm hoping to see it one day, but will leave it for a while just at the moment.

Meanwhile, there was plenty to see on the rocks and sea below. Gannets galore, plus the usual Guillemots, Razzorbills and Kittiwakes. It was a hot day, which was a bonus, as the near 3 hour journey would have been really miserable in the rain. Just a reminder that not every twitch is successful, but I guess that's part of the fun.

Not an Albatross, but part of the same family, a Fulmar in flight and good light.

Gannets were plentiful.

Ever wondered what a sleeping Guillemot looks like? 👇

Kittiwakes were noisy on the cliffs.

There were not too many Puffins left.

 

Kittiwake - Farne Islands

Along with the Common Gull, the Kittiwake is my favourite gull. There's something quite alluring about it. It might be the black eyes or the black legs or the sharp yellow bill, I'm not sure. Put them all together though and you have a pretty good looking gull. It probably helps that I don't get to see them every day too. There were plenty on the Farnes and it was great to watch them for some time

Kittiwakes

I love the Kittiwake. I've probably mentioned before that it is one of my favourite gulls. It is a very elegant bird, both in flight and at rest. There is something rather appealing about it's dark eye and yellow bill. Definitely more friendly looking than the Herring and Lesser black-backed gulls. It's also one gull that I can pick out quite easily in amongst other gulls.

I had a great time watching these on the North East coast, where there were many nesting birds. Once again this is yet another of our birds that has been given 'Red Status' and has been struggling in recent years. This time possibly down to a lack of sandeels, their main source of food for the young. Hopefully they will bounce back and increase their numbers.

Hanging those black legs and feet in flight.

Lovely gliding flight and with those unmistakable black wing tips.

Very photogenic even from the back-side.

Staple Island

Once on the island I didn't really know where to begin. So many birds and only an hour on the island. It's not a very big island, but I really could have spent hours here. The sun was out, its was relatively warm and what I had been waiting for was all in front of me. I just had to get on and do what I came here for. Hold the camera up and press that button for as long as I liked. Absolutely perfect.

Kittiwake.

Being able to see so many Atlantic Puffins close up is probably the abiding memory I will have. I've seen them before, but not in such numbers at close quarters. Truly breathtaking.

Sand eels are what the Puffins eat. They're pretty clever at stacking them up too.

Sunning themselves on the rocks were the Razorbills. 

Bempton Cliffs. (Again)

I couldn't resist posting some more of my pictures from Bempton Cliffs. The sound and smells on the East coast were quite breathtaking and at times eye watering. As I've mentioned before, it was the Gannet that I really came to see, and there were plenty around both in the air and on the rocks.

Plenty here sat on nests. Its a shame to see so much rubbish on the rock. Discarded fishing nets and ropes seem to be the most popular nesting material.

Kittiwake in a bit of a foul mood.

And looking a little more content.

Meadow Pipit on a lookout post.

Tree Sparrow near the visitor centre.