Late Autumn on Bempton Cliffs - 24th November 2019

Snow Bunting

Did it get light today? Not really, perhaps a few paler shades of dark! Dull, low clouds presided over the cliffs, but at least it stayed fine and with a reduced blow, quite mild. The downside for photography was the necessity of a high ISO, which of course results in grainy images. All that aside, it was a good day!

Arriving on the viewpoints, a sound not heard since the summer breeding season, the "guttural growls" of Guillemots! Guillemots do visit the cliffs during the winter months, in varying numbers, for varying lengths of time, before heading back to sea. No one really knows why they do this! They did present in varying stages of feather moult. Today, there must have been between one and two thousand on the cliffs but they started to depart in the afternoon.

Second bird from the left is a "Bridled" Guillemot

And if you failed to spot the "bridle", here is a clue!

Star bird for me was this long staying Snow Bunting, on the cliff path between Bartlett Nab and Jubilee Corner viewpoints.

Fulmars are returning to the cliffs in good numbers after a short absence. It is good to hear their "evil cackles" as they spar on the ledges, but they are most spectacular in flight.

Gannets can still be seen in flight out to sea but they will not return to the ledges until early February.

Greater Black Backed Gulls are also regularly seen

The cliffs are usually seen in their splendid naked glory at this time of the year (give or take visitations of Guillemots and Fulmars).

It may be late Autumn, but birds are still about. Todays sightings board is still impressive and compiled from various observers.

"Keep 'em peeled" out there!

Around Bempton during the last week - November 2019

Humes Warbler - Bempton Cliffs

The long staying Humes Warbler at RSPB Bempton Cliffs is still showing well in the bushes around the overflow carpark. You could say it is showing well, it is, but very flitty and a real challenge to gain images!

A good number of Corn Buntings were flying over, with some resting on the wires, again near the overflow car park

Yesterday (18th November) we had an interesting visitor in a (Bempton) neighbours garden. I was called across to be told that a Cormorant was sitting on their patio! When I slowly and carefully peered around the corner, I was faced with a juvenile Shag!! The bird appeared dazed but looked healthy. It posed for a while before moving around the garden, taking a poop and then flying north towards the Cliffs. I suppose I could be crude and say "I had a Shag in my neighbours garden!".

Nearby Bridlington Harbour does not attract many interesting birds these days, but it has played host to two Red Throated Divers. One departed after a couple of days, but this one stayed a few more days.

Late Autumn on Bempton Cliffs - 10th November 2019

Humes Leaf Warbler

Another excellent late autumn day was enjoyed on the cliffs with sunshine, blue sky, but thickening cloud late afternoon. A challenging northerly blow challenged on the viewpoints, certainly a day to keep moving. Two visitors reported Guillemots on the ledges, so I headed down to Bartlett Nab, but I was faced with naked cliffs! A few Fulmar were noteworthy. Checking the cameras did confirm Guillemots on the cliffs at c0730 and also recorded their departure at c0745!

All of the action was in the wooded areas, grassland and dell areas. The Humes Leaf Warbler, now in its fifth day, rapidly flitted between Bonelli's and Pallas's Patch. challenging photographers, myself included!

Humes Leaf Warbler

Staff, volunteers and visitors respected the two minute silence remembering those who bravely gave their lives in the worlds conflicts.

While checking out the car park bushes and vegetation, I spotted what I thought was a very late Willow Warbler, however it is an "aberrant" Chiffchaff!

"I can see you!" This Kestrel was sheltering on the Owl Box, probably not wishing to have the colour of its claws checked out!

Overhead, a group of c25 Pink Footed Geese circled the reserve. Interestingly, this same group made  appearances several times throughout the day.

At least four Stonechats were observed around the reserve grassland

Mid afternoon saw the appearance of two Short Eared Owls (always a pleasure), this one was harassed by Corvids interested in obtaining its tea!

While enjoying the Short Eared Owls, this Barn Owl put in an appearance

Not a bad day! Here are today's sightings

What might you see? Keep 'em peeled!