Seabirds on Bempton Cliffs (1 Viewer)

[NIK III]

I had my first proper visit to Bempton on Monday. It was very busy, everyone had the same idea, lets get off to the coast in the good weather. As probably everyone else, I'd gone to see the Gannets more than anything, and wasn't disappointed. Lots of activity, some had nestlings. Views of them were great especially as they flew along the top of the cliff. The scenery was spectacular, the white cliffs dazzling in the sunshine, and the calm clear sea had a transparent green look to it. I could see Kittiwakes and Herring Gulls with little bundles of fluff. Fulmars put on their usual display, but I thought they were a bit upstaged by the Gannets and a bit lost in all the general activity of Gannets, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls, Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins all flying every which way. Some people remarked about how few Puffins could be seen on the cliffs. Of the few I saw most were near the bottom of the cliff, but plenty could be seen flying near the surface of the water. I never got around to exploring the surrounding scrub so didn't see many other birds. For completeness I've listed what I did see. Highlight of the non-seabirds was a Barn Owl carrying prey which flew right in front of my car on the way there.

Blackbird, Crow, Dunnock, Feral Pigeon, Fulmar, Gannet, Guillemot, Herring Gull, Jackdaw, Kittiwake, Linnet, Magpie, Meadow Pipit, Pheasant, Puffin, Razorbill, Skylark, Swallow, Tree Sparrow, Willow Warbler.

10 pics

 

[NIK III]

Final set of pics.

 

[Mahsleb]

Fabulous photos Roy, well done :t:
Gannets are well up there in my list of
favourite birds and your last pic is a beaut!

I'd love to visit Bempton it looks such an amazing place
and theres nowhere round here where you can
see seabirds (apart from Gulls!)

Thanks Roy I really enjoyed seeing your pics :t:

Cheers

 

[Pam_m]

Wow! Some great photo's Roy! I especially like the last pic of the Gannet in flight...that is an awesome photo! Well done!:t:

An interesting read of what sounds a great place to visit!:t:

 

[dafi]

Nice photos Roy. I must echo Pam as i liked the last gannet shot as well.

How are things looking fo breeding sucsess down there this year? Are the ledges fairly full?

 

[Mabel]

Brilliant, Roy.

 

[chris3871]

Hi Roy,
Those pictures are really good! I especially like the second to last gannet shot (photo #9). Its a great composition with the flying bird in sharp focus with a dark background, and in the mid ground the crowded cliffs. Looks fantastic!

 

[Ruth Daniel]

Super pics Roy!:t:
I love the Gannet shots and pic 2 of the first set is lovely.....I adore Razorbills.....a seriously smart bird!
We're off on a seabird weekend in a few weeks....hope to be as lucky as you were!!!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[NIK III]

Thanks for the nice comments Tony, Pam, Dafi, Mabel, Chris and Ruth.

Good luck with your trip Ruth.

This was my first visit to Bempton Cliffs Dafi, so I can't compare with previous years. My first impressions were that the ledges were not as well populated with Kitties and Auks as my normal seabird viewing spot at St Abbs Head. The regulars here though gave me the impression that things were pretty normal, apart from fewer Puffins on show.

 

[dafi]

Thats encouraging then Roy. Up here the auks are looking very sparse at the moment. Kittywakes are sitting on eggs though so fingers crossed[every single one failed last year}. Razorbill numbers seem a little low but there was that huge wreck last year that might have some thing to do with it.
The cliff tops look pretty dangerous down there!!!

 

[Sue Wright]

All the best with yours up there Daf, I hope things pick up a bit from what they are now.

Hi Roy,

Now what d'you want to go and do that for. I'm getting like a broody hen with being impatient to go there again after being so impressed with last year's visit which was marvellous, then you put the above on!! Stunning! However, if St Abbs Head's ledges are even better it must be quite some spectacle for you to witness.

Superb photos Roy, it took me way back and I've loved every minute of drooling over them. Wonderful Gannets and oh so beautiful Kittiwakes. Thanks so much Roy, I loved it all! Must be soon time to go to St Abbs again?

Sue.

 

[NIK III]

You could easily get a case of knee trembles leaning over the fence Dafi :eek!:. It's a great shame what's happening to the seabirds in Scotland. At Abbs 1 in 8 Kitty nests fledged a chick. Lots grew to fledging size then perished.

Thanks Sue. I was really impressed with the place too. Being able to get so close to those Gannets with my feet still on the ground had me going home on a high so to speak . Return trips to come I think, as well as St Abbs.