Christmas Day Walk to Bempton Cliffs

Merry Christmas from the Gang at Bempton Cliffs 

With very poor weather on the run up to Christmas, it was really nice to take a walk, with Symphony, up to the cliffs on what promised to be a very nice day. One of my aims was to capture the Christmas sunrise and despite the "early" start, was not to be disappointed!

Christmas Day Sunrise, Cliff Lane, Bempton

I had also hoped to capture the cliffs in the golden light, but at this time of year it takes a while for the sun to hit them!

Wildlife wise, very quiet! Although I didn't stay very long the best included - Red Throated Diver (3); Great Black Backed Gull (3); Corn Bunting (6); Tree Sparrow (100+); Fulmar (50+); Cormorant (2); Reed Bunting (1); Guillemot (1); Herring Gull (20+); Seal (1); Harbour Porpoise (5+); Roe Deer (7).

Unfortunately, the light had not yet brightened the cliffs so images are high ISO!

Great Black Backed gull

Fulmar

Herring Gull

Roe Deer

Merry Christmas from the "Deep"!

And finally, a random Carrion Crow!

A reminder that Bempton Cliffs Visitor Centre will be closed from Monday 23rd December 2019 and will re-open on Wednesday 1st January 2020. The reserve will be open at all times. See you in 2020! Keep 'em peeled!

'twas the Sunday before Christmas on Bempton Cliffs - 22nd December 2019

Goldfinch

twas the Sunday before Christmas, when all on the cliffs

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse

The stockings were hung by the viewpoint with care

In the hope that St. Nicholas soon would be there

(with apologies to Major Henry Livingstone Jr 1748-1828)

Not entirely true, though, as there were good numbers of Herring Gulls, Jackdaws, Feral Pigeons and Fulmars but the rest of the reserve was eerily quiet!

Todays Sightings:

Hardly "Monarch of the Glen" but it is always nice to see Roe Deer on and around the reserve!

Fulmars are being seen in good numbers, in flight, on the cliffs and on the sea.

A pair of Kestrels seem to have taken up residence in one of the Owl boxes near the visitor centre. An attempt at mating was witnessed so lets wish them well!

A good number of Corn Buntings are being seen with c 100+ being observed today

And Linnets

And Goldfinch

Herring Gull

And "Bempton" guardian of the cliffs, continues his lonely vigil!

A reminder that Bempton Cliffs Visitor Centre will be closed from Monday 23rd December 2019 and will re-open on Wednesday 1st January 2020. The reserve will be open at all times. See you in 2020! Keep 'em peeled!

Bempton Cliffs - 15th December 2019

Weasel at Grandstand

It was a cold night with very strong winds, heavy showers and a touch of snow (not enough to need me big coat though!). The morning was more promising with long sunny periods but retention of the strong wind necessitated a day of mobility! Although the snow at Bempton was nothing more than slight evidence on car windows, some parts of Yorkshire had a tad more!

The day certainly had promise with a very nice sunrise as I approached the reserve on Cliff Lane

The cliffs were naked again today, but there were reports of Guillemots yesterday albeit in small numbers. Today, it was pleasing to see good numbers of Fulmar and Herring Gulls.

Standing on Grandstand viewpoint, rapid movement in the cliff top grass revealed a Weasel! So close at first that my 400mm prime couldn't focus on it! Eventually the Weasel obliged by moving further down the cliff!

Herring Gulls are loved or hated by many (I call them "Marmite" Gulls) and often dismissed as verminous "sea gulls"!

The Fulmars are a delight to watch with increasing numbers being seen on ledges, in flight and on the sea. They are the resident breeding bird that spends eleven months of the year on the cliifs but is the latest one to start breeding, usually May.

Do you want to hear a rude joke?

I'll whisper it in your ear!

It's the way you tell 'em!

Time was spent looking for "Blue" Fulmars - a dimorphism making the bird much darker, all over including the head and more associated with the Arctic populations.

I couldn't see any so these "blue" Fulmars are all I can offer!

A solitary Song Thrush feeding on the cliff path was nice to see

On the cliff path near Grandstand viewpoint, I was surprised to see these two caterpillars. I think they are Drinker Moth caterpillars (corrections welcome!). I'm wondering if the waterlogged ground had forced them out? Is it usual to see them in mid-December?

Here are todays sightings:

And finally!,

Conservation of Tree Sparrows at Bempton Cliffs is a high Priority. They are well looked after with feeding, nest sites and are doing well. So well in fact that a new subspecies has appeared - Passer montanus gigantica, seen here at its own enlarged bird box!

Christmas closing of the Visitor Centre - Closed 23rd December 2019 until 31st December 2019 (inclusive). Re-opening Wednesday 1st January2020. The reserve will be open at all times. Remember, "Keep 'em peeled"!