Bempton Circular

Today, for a change I decided to walk the Bempton circular, through Buckton up Hoddy Cows Lane to Buckton Cliffs, along Bempton Cliffs and back to Bempton. Buckton pond had a pair of Tufted Ducks and a Grey Heron.

Tufted Ducks

Watchful waiting - Grey Heron

Hoddy Cows Lane was quite quiet with fleeting glimpses of a Lesser Whitethroat with Linnets, Goldfinches and Chaffinches making up most of the activity. A Brown Hare was observed over the ploughed field.

Quick! Run! Hide! It's a photographer!

Towards the main dell area a Yellowhammer made an appearance

The pond area above the Dell held Sedge Warblers and Common Whitethroat

Sedge Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Near the Heligoland trap, a Short-eared Owl hunted, but apart from Skylarks, little else was seen. Arriving at Buckton Cliffs, activity on the cliffs was amazing with one exception - Puffins! The Puffins seemed to have deserted the cliffs in favour of the sea and this was mirrored all the way to Bempton Cliffs. A few Puffins were eventually found around Grandstand viewpoint but highlights that there are no guarantees in nature.

My journey along Bempton Cliffs concentrated mainly on the glorious Gannets.

Eye to eye and bill to bill!

One of the many Gannet "Clubs"

Gannets being Gannets

And of course, nest building continues!

And finally, the Herring Gull - overlooked by many, despised by many but is red listed!