Bempton Circular Walk - 30th August 2020

 

Year 4 Gannet

I am often asked why I do not include images of the scarcer birds reported on and around Bempton Cliffs. The answer is simple, I do not see them! Most are flyover birds seen or heard at a distance and probably by only one observer. I have dashed to the cliffs on hearing reports of a scarce bird, only to be told it was a flyover or hasn't been seen for a while or was last seen flying towards...........! I don't go chasing birds now, preferring to see and photograph what I see!

This morning dawned rather dull, but it wasn't raining! The wind was still a strong northerly and required my big coat, woolly hat and gloves! It is August still isn't it?

The early morning light was not brilliant

I wouldn't want to be on the sea this morning!

When the wind is strong, seabirds are often pushed on to the cliff tops where they find the situation confusing and difficult to redress. This morning I came across this year 1 Gannet on the footpath near Jubilee Corner viewpoint. It was not injured and with encouragement crossed the fence onto the cliff top. All was well!

I can't see this fashion catching on!

Happy Gannet Families

Supervised Lunch!

Probably one of the youngest Guga on the cliffs, near Jubilee Corner

Gannets in Flight

Till next time..............................

Bempton Circular Walk - 27th August 2020

 

Gannet Guga Fashion!

The weather has been rather inclement of late with heavy, persistent rain and very strong winds, not at all conducive to birding or photography. An improved forecast this morning saw myself and Symphony embarking on the Bempton circular walk. Often in birding, you hear the words "should've been here ten minutes ago"! Today this comment related to the sunrise which, if I had left home earlier, would've been impressive. Still, I managed a few post sunrise images!

On the cliffs, life continues with Gannets still dominating and Gugas of varying stages of development, Fulmars, still a few Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls and Shags. Best bird for me was a flyover Whimbrel (year tick). Towards Bartlett Nab, a splendid male Wheatear flitted fast enough and far enough to ensure I couldn't get it on camera! In the field at the back of Jubilee Corner a Whinchat and three Stonechats did similar! Oh well, nice to see!

Gannet Life

This Gannet Guga amused me with its "fashionable" plumage!

The sun didn't really perform and cloud dominated

Till next time................................

Bempton Cliffs - 24th August 2020

Gannet with Guga Synchronised Grooming

 

I'm not visiting the cliffs as often now, but when I do, it is early doors. This morning the weather was forecast to be heavy rain from 0800hrs so straight up, walk around the nature trail, visit to Bartlett Nab viewpoint and straight back home. Of course, the forecast was wrong, again, and no rain materialised! However, there was not a soul about and I had the cliffs to myself, just how I like it! 

Too late for the sunrise, but managed a few "atmospheric" shots with my iPhone7

There seemed to be a lot more Fulmars around this morning

Most of the Kittiwakes have left the cliffs at Bartlett Nab as have the Gugas, with only one left near the viewpoint. Gannets, of course, remain now as the dominant birds on the cliffs and will be until they leave by the end of October.

Gannet Life

Year 2 Gannet

Year 3 Gannet

Year 4 Gannets

Year 5+ (Adult) Gannets

Common Whitethroat

Reed Bunting

Till next time......................................