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RSPB Bempton Cliffs (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter babbit
- Start date
Hi Babbit,
The nesting at Bempton starts from late April and goes through to June and sometimes into July. For the maximum number of birds I would go in May. Almost guaranteed to see gannet, puffin, guillemot and razorbill. There should also be fulmars, kittiwake and shag.
Plus you've got the chance of migrants going through on their way north
The nesting at Bempton starts from late April and goes through to June and sometimes into July. For the maximum number of birds I would go in May. Almost guaranteed to see gannet, puffin, guillemot and razorbill. There should also be fulmars, kittiwake and shag.
Plus you've got the chance of migrants going through on their way north
bitterntwisted
Graham Howard Shortt
Hi Babbit,
I recommend the RSPB's Puffin Seabird cruises around the foot of the cliffs which run weekends from late May to early July. (http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.asp?id=146013&c=41) I went last year on the shearwater and skua cruise in the autumn and am looking forward to the spring cruise now.
Graham
I recommend the RSPB's Puffin Seabird cruises around the foot of the cliffs which run weekends from late May to early July. (http://www.rspb.org.uk/events/details.asp?id=146013&c=41) I went last year on the shearwater and skua cruise in the autumn and am looking forward to the spring cruise now.
Graham
I'll second Graham on the RSPB cruises.
The Skua ones have the potential to be brilliant. I've been on quite a few over the years, I think it is 7 but may be more. Got quite a list of birds seen, including my only Sabine's gull, and Pomarine skua. Bags of Sooty and Manx shearwaters, Bonxies and Arctic skua.
Alo seen harbour porpoise, dolphins and a very distant whale.
Only once was I disappointed with a cruise and that was when we went out and a fret came down. You couldn't see a hand in front of your face, LOL
The Skua ones have the potential to be brilliant. I've been on quite a few over the years, I think it is 7 but may be more. Got quite a list of birds seen, including my only Sabine's gull, and Pomarine skua. Bags of Sooty and Manx shearwaters, Bonxies and Arctic skua.
Alo seen harbour porpoise, dolphins and a very distant whale.
Only once was I disappointed with a cruise and that was when we went out and a fret came down. You couldn't see a hand in front of your face, LOL
I'm considering a trip up to Bempton around the 20th of May, I guess this would be a good time to see breeding puffins? Also does anyone know what it's like for photographing them? I can't get to the Farnes so a trip to Bempton will be my only chance at them for a few years...
davebenj
To old, Too tall, Too fat, Too bald.
postcardcv said:
We went to Bempton yesterday (15th April).
Gannet (everywhere)
Razorbill (everywhere)
Guillemot (everywhere)
Kittiwake (everywhere)
Fulmar (to east of visitor centre - none west)
Shag (one or two flying north)
Puffin (only one or two and tricky to fnd)
I wouldn't have thought that photographing puffins would be difficult - its easy enough with the other species.
One point: Try to get there early - before the coach trips start arriving...
IanF
Moderator
I think the chicks should have hatched by then. Whilst they breed in burrows so you don't see them for long, once the adults start feeding the chicks they're in and out all of the time. I find late May and into mid-June are about best for seeing more of the Puffins - some can be quite close too. We visited 7th and 15th June last year and there were loads of them around. Plenty perched on the cliffs by the view points and plenty flying in with sandeels - great for flight shots - though you have to be quick so practice your panning technique before you go!postcardcv said:
Worth checking Flamborough Head to the south as well as they have as many if not more Puffins than Bempton - again sometimes very close indeed. Just follow the path south along the cliffs for a couple of hundred yards and you'll see them.
thanks for the info guys, I've booked a few days up there in a months time... can hardly wait!
postcardcv said:
Hi,
Yes may is the best time to go to Bempton, I was there yesterday and it was not very warm there was a cold wind blowing off the sea. I my self did not see any Puffins but a chap I was talking to said he had seen one, but there are plenty of Kittiwakes and Razorbills.You should have no problems taking photographs of Puffins in May when you go, so look forward to it and enjoy.
Stan.
Thanks again for all the info, we had a great two day trip to the area... managed to see and photograph the four target species - puffin, razorbill, guillemot and gannet, so I am very pleased. Unfortunately we didn't get much wind so I didn't even get the chance to try for auk flight shots. The tree sparrows around the visitors center were a real bonus, as were the very showy jackdaws. It really is a magical place, I just wish I could get back there again this year...
here are a couple of shots, there are loads more on my website.
here are a couple of shots, there are loads more on my website.
Attachments
Mike Richardson
Formerly known as Skink1978
Great photos! Glad you enjoyed your visit to East Yorkshire.
timwootton
Well-known member
They are great photos and it's a wonderful place to visit - on a warm day (!) the smell is excruciatingly, nausiously wonderful and there's 'other stuff' to see if you know the right 'places'.
By the way - are my interpretation panels still there?
By the way - are my interpretation panels still there?
davidearlgray
davidearlgray
Hi all, went yesterday to Bempton Cliffs, and had excellent views of the usual suspects(Puffin, Gannet, etc...), and I also had singing Corn Bunting!
Cheers,
Dave Gray.
Cheers,
Dave Gray.
pandachris
Well-known member
Haven't seen a UK Corn Bunting for years, Dave, and we're planning on dropping into Bempton on Friday morning. Was it/were they easy to find?
screaming piha
Well-known member
Try the hedges on the approach to the car park and keep an eye on the fences while at Bempton. Listen for the song anywhere around there. Not as common as I remember from not so long ago, but still about.
pandachris
Well-known member
cheers.
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