Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Friday, 24 August 2018

Bempton Circular Walk - 24th August 2018

Stimulated flapping by a juvenile Gannet with the onset of rain.

How wrong can the weather forecasters be? I should know by now that no rain in the forecast means several heavy showers, dark clouds, thunder, lightening and hail! And this will, of course, happen at the furthest point of my walk and where no shelter exists! This "brightened" my endeavours as I tackled the Bempton, Buckton, Hoddy Cows, Buckton and Bempton Cliffs walk with Symphony. 


Buckton Pond Puddle Damp Patch this afternoon!



"Atmospheric" sea vistas as the storms rolled in!





Wildlife wise, thank goodness for the seabirds, particularly the Gannets otherwise I would not have any images to publish!  Good and diverse numbers of migratory birds are being reported on a daily basis along the cliffs at Buckton, Bempton and around the nature trail at Bempton. My problem is that I rarely see them!  I have spent several hours standing, looking and checking out every movement but zilch! There is a limit to the number of eye tests I can have at "Specsavers" so I suppose I must be a crap birder!

Thank goodness for the Gannets! The following images were taken at Jubilee Corner viewpoint showing various ages. Some of the "black" Gugas are ready to fledge.











During periods of rain, the black plumaged Gugas flap their wings rhythmically while the adult Gannets appear unmoved. The rain showers may stimulate instinctive bathing - flapping, something that happens when the Guga fledges and lands on the water for the first time.

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