Bempton Cliffs - 1st September 2019

Gannet

Another pleasant day on the cliffs, sunny periods in the morning, becoming cloudy in the afternoon, with a few short lived showers. The moderate west, north west blow kept most of the heavy showers at sea. It was a good start around the nature trail and dell areas with migrants pushing inland but by mid morning they had disappeared! Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Reed Bunting, Yellowhammer and Blackcap were all present. At one in the dell, in excess of 200 Goldfinches passed through, a fantastic sight and sound! On the cliffs, many of the Gannet Gugas are or have fledged, Fulmars and Shags are still about in good numbers.

So what was seen today?

An early walk around the dell and nature trail produced a few migrants. These areas are quite under watched with most visitors heading straight down to the cliffs.

Willow Warbler

Common Whitethroat

Lesser Whitethroat

Yellowhammer

Bounding through the grassland, Roe Deer

Overhead, a couple of Swift passed through, unable to make them more "exotic" but pleased that I managed a photograph!

Arriving on the cliffs, a quick fly by from this Kestrel

The cliffs are looking spartan with only the Gannets and Fulmars on the ledges with young. Most of the Kittiwakes have left but rafts can be seen on the sea.

Gannet Portraits

Fulmar

The young Gannets (Guga) are still at varying degrees of development, this being one of the youngest

Varying ages

And some are almost ready to fledge

The "Geronimo" dive

Gannets massing off Bartlett Nab viewpoint

An approaching squall, thankfully missing the cliffs

My lost friend on Grandstand viewpoint! This racing pigeon must have had a sat-nav failure!

Remember, keep 'em peeled!