Walk from Bempton to Bempton Cliffs - 28th October 2020

 

An Autumnal Feel!

I am deep in thought at the moment, seriously considering the future of my blog and my birding. I seem to have acquired the knack of seeing very few birds, and mis-identifying some of those I do see. For the moment, my posts will be very general and based on my walks around Bempton, the cliffs and any excursions I choose to make.

Today I walked (with Symphony) from Bempton to the cliffs and back, but slightly later than normal. The morning had a cool autumnal feel to it but lacked the promised sunshine (what's new!). I have and will take images of anything that captures my attention.

Trying to capture an "autumnal" feel!

On the cliffs, there has been a clear out of seabirds. Very few Gannets remain on the ledges and there are fewer in flight or on the sea. I only spotted one Gannet still servicing its Guga, (ready to fledge) from Bartlett Nab. I didn't see any Fulmars.

Gannet with Guga 

Bempton Cliffs from Bartlett Nab

Bempton Cliffs from Grandstand

Offshore this morning were two identical support vessels, the Njord Viking and Loke Viking

A pleasant walk...

Bempton Cliffs -25th October 2020

 

"Honey, I'm home!" Northern Gannets

A very enjoyable, autumnal walk to the cliffs this morning, sunshine and blue sky and virtually the whole area to myself (and Symphony). It is always special to be able to capture the sunrise especially over Staple Newk.

As I walked up Cliff Lane, the sun was hidden by cloud cover. I have always been told to check behind as the sun rises and this morning I captured the old RAF Bempton base in superb light!

Again, wildlife wise, the approaches to the cliffs were very quiet and little seen (quite normal for me!). On the cliffs, Gannet numbers have reduced with fewer birds flying through. On the ledges, a few "ready to fledge" Guga are still present, but not for long.

Fulmars seem to have left the area, as they do at this time of year, but they usually return in about a month or so. 

All of my images at the moment are taken with my new Sony RX10 mk4 and hand held. Birds in flight have been tricky, so I'm thankful a few Gannets are still coming in close to practice on!

A few of the Gannets still on the cliffs

Very distant off Bartlett Nab sat a Peregrine. A challenge for the Sony but I had a go

I stood no chance when it took to flight though!

Practice makes perfect, they say. I've got a long way to go, but I will [hopefully] get there!

'till next time...

Bempton Cliffs - 23rd October 2020

 

"Incoming!" - Northern Gannets

Thwarted by incompetent weather forecasting again! Set my alarm in order to photograph what promised to be a decent sunrise, only to find it had changed to dull thick cloud, so delayed. Even well after sunrise it remained dark and gloomy but at least stayed fine. The Sony RX10 would be tested today! I have found that changing between settings A and S are critical to get the sharpest images. I am struggling with small birds and also with "grain" at low light. It is not easy, but I will master the machine!

A quiet day and another "thank goodness for the Gannets!".

Adult year 5+ Gannets

A late Gift

Although most of the Gannets have left the ledges, there are good numbers in flight along the coast and on the sea. A few remain loyal to their nest sites and there are still a number of Gugas being serviced, but they are ready to fledge.

A year 2 imm Gannet 

A few Fulmar are still in the area

A "bright" interval!

'till next time...