"Marching" up to Bempton Cliffs (Some of the Birds and Dolphins)

 

Bottle Nosed Dolphins - Mum & Calf

A dull, overcast morning local exercise walk to the cliffs but very mild. Thanks to a "heads up" from Keith (C) that a pod of  Bottle Nosed Dolphins was heading south from Hunmanby Gap ensured I delayed my journey a little! Keith thought c20 but when they reached Bempton, I thought c12, but they had spread out so probably more. What difficult animals to photograph!

Bird wise, thousands of Guillemots were back on the cliff ledges with more in rafts on the sea. A few Razorbills were also on the ledges but alas no Puffins. Thousands of Gannets were on the cliffs and many more in flight. The sound of Kittiwakes could be heard from a raft on the sea, but none had ventured onto the ledges. A very high Barn Owl was seen and my first Short-eared Owl for a while was seen briefly. Two Greylag Geese over the sea were my first this year!

Gannet Life

"Stacks" of Gannets

Many Gannets coming to the nest ledges with "gifts" for their partners. These "gifts will be incorporated into the nest.

Guillemots

"Bridled" Guillemot

Razorbills (few)

Razorbills with Guillemot

Fulmars

Kittiwake Raft with a few Auks

Short-eared Owl

Yellowhammer

Pied Wagtail

All images taken handheld with Canon 7D mk2 and 400mm 5.6 prime lens.

Please stay safe on your LOCAL exercise walk in nature.