Bempton Cliffs

[Disneynut1973]

It was my first trip to Bempton today. We didn't pick the best day, it was very foggy and we couldn't even see the sea at the bottom of the cliffs! Parts of the cliffs were viewable thankfully. Didn't think the kids would be too happy with an hour and a half drive and nothing to see!

So i've had 6 firsts for me today - Gannets, Puffins, Guillemots, Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Meadow Pipits. Also saw 6 Tree Sparrows,a Swallow and a Wren. The fog didn't hamper too much though there were a few other Gulls about that I didn't stand a chance of identifying.

Can't imagine what the views would be like without the fog, even my hubby is eager to go back in better weather (i'm slowly converting him :t:). I'm very pleased to add so many to my list in one go. Great day!

Pam

[geedub]

Hi Pam, nice to know you and your family had a good day at Bempton, despite the abysmal sea fret. Conditions here in Scarborough, a bit further north, were pretty poor as well so you were lucky to see as much as you did! Bempton's always a good place to visit, hope your next trip there is just as enjoyable.

[Disneynut1973]

thanks, the fog didn't get any better the whole time we were there! Also checked through the photo's we took and realised that some of the Guillemots were actually Razorbills, so 7 new birds for me!

Pam

[ColonelBlimp]

You lucky thing! I was up on the weekend and I'm dying to be back there!

Did you get the puffins? At one of the viewpoints where I was the only one with a scope I got asked where they were about ten times!

[Marmot]

We once chose a day when it was fog, but it eventually burned away a bit so were able to see some of the birds, but it is quite an eerie place with the fog.
Since that time we now stop in the B & B at Bempton for a few nights so at least we can get a decent day. We are back at Bempton in July so lets hope there is no fog then.

[Disneynut1973]

You lucky thing! I was up on the weekend and I'm dying to be back there!

Did you get the puffins? At one of the viewpoints where I was the only one with a scope I got asked where they were about ten times!

We did see the Puffins eventually! A couple of people told us where they were but we just couldn't see them we started to walk up to the next viewpoint and there was one waddling about a cliff top picking up grass and twigs. Then later on there were two just under the view point quite close, good enough to get a decent enough photo with my little snappy camera! So not easy to spot |=)|

We left such gorgeous weather behind in Leeds I never thought about it being foggy on the coast. We're really not that far away, next time i'll check out the weather forcast better. It didn't burn of at all in fact we looked at the centre viewing point again before we left about 1 ish and it was worse! Should hope in July there wouldn't be fog or it would disappear quick.

There are a few photos here http://pampick.blogspot.com/ bearing in mind my camera is rubbish.

Pam

[carlj]

Always a fun place to visit. Opt local group trip is in June so hope to get some decent weather - no longer a guarantee. I recall the gannets being an awesome spectacle. Glad you enjoyed the trip despite the weather. Carl

[Bananafishbones]

Nice blog report Pam, hope I get puffin Pics tomorrow!!!

Its given fog in the morning................. HERES HOPING IT CLEARS FOR ME

[Magpie70]

I'm thinking about travelling down to Bempton cliffs on Saturday (from Newcastle area).

Is it worth a visit?

Can you get close to the birds?

Can you get access to the cliffs early in the morning? (7am ish)

Thanks for any advice.

[Disneynut1973]

I'm thinking about travelling down to Bempton cliffs on Saturday (from Newcastle area).

Is it worth a visit?

Can you get close to the birds?

Can you get access to the cliffs early in the morning? (7am ish)

Thanks for any advice.

Definitely worth a visit and the view points are all quite close to the birds, two of the Puffins we saw were just under one of the fences at the Staple Newk viewpoint. There are thousands and thousands of birds there so the chances of seeing the different species are good. I mean I saw 7 new birds and that was in fog. Don't know about the access at 7am I presume you can we just entered the paths through the RSPB shop which opens at 10.

Dave I hope the fog clears up for you, good luck!

Pam

[Bananafishbones]

Arrived at 08.30am, gate open at the side of the visitors centre, (I could just see the visitors centre from the carpark through the fog!!!) so was able to access the cliffs before opening time, however couldnt see much at all, visability down to a few yards.

However I was lucky to see a Redstart plus the seabirds that have already been mentioned by Pam.
Due to the fog I was unable to see any of the rock outcrop at Staple Newk which was a shame, but I did well to find 3 Puffins amongst the fog and Kittiwakes that were perched on a cliff ledge.

The highlight was probably seeing up close a dozen Gannets gathering nesting material from the top of the cliff, that close even the fog couldnt spoil the veiw.

Unfortunatly I had to leave at 2pm just as the fog became a little less dense, I bet the last few hours of daylight are quite bright

I will be back there very soon, hopefully will be able to get the camera out!!

Great place

Dave

[Keith Dickinson]

The footpaths along and to the cliff edge at Bempton are public rights of way. The gate at the side of the visitor centre should always be open when the centre is closed. You can also access the reserve from either Flamborough to the south or Buckton to the north, by walking along the cliff path. Before I had a car I used to catch the bus from Leeds to Bridlington, then another to Flamboro and then walk the couple of miles along the cliff edge to get to the reserve.

[Disneynut1973]

I did wonder about access, couldn't really see where the paths lead in the fog though. We didn't get there until 10 so the shop was already open. I did notice the map saying the path lead to Flamborough to one side and I think Speeton (could be wrong there) to the other. It's good to know for future visits, thanks Keith.

Still forecasting fog for that area at the moment so it doesn't look like the viewing is going to be too good for a bit. Dave at least you got to see the some birds, better than none after your long drive!

[oncebittern]

I did wonder about access, couldn't really see where the paths lead in the fog though.

Go to www.multimap.com, put in Bempton, switch to Aerial View, and zoom in as appropriate.

All the footpaths become very clear and easy to see. In fact, the picture is so clear, that on maximum zoom I reckon you could do a bit of on-line birding ;)

[Dave1981]

Hello, im new ;) I went to Bempton for first time on Monday and it was great bar the fog! I love the gannets, Im not a pro birder but im getting there and am slowly converting my mum sister and partner too, they were all excited lol!
Saw 2 puffins at Flamborough and a kestrel really close up on the cliffs! Amazing day!

[Bananafishbones]

Nice one Dave1981
I too enjoyed my day at Bempton regardless of the fog, it has made me determined to go back in a week or two so I can really appreciate the whole atmosphere

Agree with you regarding the Gannets.... Awesome bird

[birdieboy123]

I did wonder about access, couldn't really see where the paths lead in the fog though.

Your not the only one
http://www.thisishullandeastriding.co.uk/news/walkers-rescued-cliff-dense-fog/article-901941-detail/article.html

[Bananafishbones]

Blinkin eck!!

I bet it was scary..... you can imagine pitch black, thick fog and the sound of the sea crashing against the rocks, all while the Gannets mock you!

[Disneynut1973]

Go to www.multimap.com, put in Bempton, switch to Aerial View, and zoom in as appropriate.

All the footpaths become very clear and easy to see. In fact, the picture is so clear, that on maximum zoom I reckon you could do a bit of on-line birding ;)

The picture is very good isn't it, would be a good walk in decent weather.

Dave1981 Bempton is a good place to help convert the family, who can resist a puffin :t:

[Magpie70]

I'm thinking about going to Bempton cliffs tommorow.

Will it be quicker to go down the A19, then the coast road way (via whitby & Scarborough), or would it be better going down the A19 then via pickering?

I've looked at it on AA routeplanner and its about 10 miles more going straight down the A19, but is the coast road much slower?

I'm travelling from Newcastle, by the way, and travelling early (6am).

Any help would be great.

[Keith Dickinson]

If I were making the trip I'd go via Pickering, I think it would be quicker than the coiast road via Whitby.