RSPB Bempton Cliffs - Puffins

I volunteered to do an extra day at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, spending most of it on the Grandstand Viewpoint. The morning was really pleasant with light winds and unbroken sunshine, but this changed at lunchtime with increasing cloud, increasing wind and a rather cold feel! Today we could "wow" our visitors with some excellent views of Puffins quite close up!

'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for Puffin-kind!.'

"Does my bum look big in this?"

Puffins

"Can you see me?"

And some variety!

Kittiwake

Razorbill

Garden Brambling

What a pleasant surprise, a garden Brambling! Our 35th garden tick this year and a three year tick for me! These images have been taken through double glazed windows so not my best!

Great Grey Shrike @ Bempton Village

Great Grey Shrike & Goldfinch

Sitting at home, I get a message of a Great grey Shrike being located on Cliff Lane Bempton, near the chalet park. As it was only half a mile away, I decided to go and take a look at what would be a two year tick. It did not look good when I met Keith B and another birder searching the hedgerows on Cliff Lane. The bird had flown and and could be anywhere! I told them I was going to have a look around Green lane and was joined by Keith but again no luck. Then, as we were about to give up, I noticed a bird being mobbed by several Goldfinch and Greenfinch. It was the Shrike, in a tree in someone's garden - what a garden tick! Luckily, I had my camera to hand and managed a few quick record shots before the Shrike again disappeared.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Birds in Flight from Grandstand

Kittiwake

Today, I have to say, was a challenge! The wind can only be described as Arctic! The wintry showers consisted of sleet which felt like glass hitting exposed body parts! The day improved weather wise to sunshine, but the wind remained strong and consistent. Even when dressed for the occasion, standing in the full force could only be tolerated in minutes! Today was, of course my day for volunteering at the cliffs, spending the day in excellent company on Grandstand Viewpoint. The second challenge was located Puffins for our visitors! For the second weekend, the Puffins had departed the cliffs, favouring the North Sea, with only small numbers being seen. So, between trying to locate Puffins, during the quieter periods, I had a go at improving my birds in flight photography, a skill I find most difficult to master!

Kittiwake

Fulmar

Guillemot

Razorbill

Herring Gull

Gannet

RSPB Bempton Cliffs, Life on the Edge, The Auks - 19th April 2016

Razorbill

Tuesday is Heathers day for volunteering on the viewpoint at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and a jolly nice day she had! The Auks had returned to the ledges, having been missing on Sunday (my voluntary day) and Monday. So, I couldn't resist and headed up the lane to enjoy a couple of hours with the crowds on Grandstand and Bartlett Nab viewpoints. Today, was Bempton at its best with spectacular sights, sounds and smells! Today, I concentrated on the Auks and was not disappointed.

Puffins

Razorbills

Guillemots

Bridled Guillemot