Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Wednesday, 28 July 2021

Aspects of Bridlington Harbour and Bay - 28th July 2021

 


Images of Bridlington Harbour and Bay with an "artistic" sway!












All images taken handheld with Sony RX10 Mk 4 and "artistically" manipulated!

Tuesday, 27 July 2021

Another Encounter with the Black Browed Albatross - 27th July 2021.

 

Black Browed Albatross

An early morning walk to Bempton Cliffs in order to capture the sunrise (separate blog page) lured me, as if by magic, to Staple Newk viewpoint, where there just happens to be a Black Browed Albatross (BBA) loitering! (A wise man, living in a remote Peruvian cave, may not know this!). It was now 0530hrs and the BBA was soon seen flying around Staple Newk rock. Unfortunately, it then chose to return to its favourite spot on the cliffs and made no further flights before I left at c0730hrs. Interestingly, the BBA has been in the area since 27th June 2021!

Black Browed Albatross










As the sun rose, a golden glow fell upon the cliff ledges, giving some of the other seabirds the chance to shine!

Gannets



Gannet Gugas love to play "dead"!


Kittiwake Tarrock


Puffin


And elsewhere,

Yellowhammer


Common Whitethroat


All images taken handheld with Canon 7D Mk2 and 400mm 5.6 prime lens (not necessarily with the right settings!).


Sunrise Walk to Bempton Cliffs - 27th July 2021

 

An early start this morning in the hope of catching the sunrise. The morning started well but cloud soon rolled in, but I got my sunrise and the moon as a bonus! A yellow warning for heavy rain and thunderstorms has been issued on the east coast!

Bempton Moon


Bempton Cliffs Sunrise







Images taken handheld with Sony RX10 Mk4.

Monday, 26 July 2021

RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 26th July 2021

 

Black Browed Albatross off Staple Newk from New Roll Up

The weather forecast stated dull, rain and the possibility of thunderstorms! We go long sunny periods, blue sky and mild temperatures! After being missing for two days, the Black Browed Albatross returned (just as it did last Sunday) giving the WOW factor to many visitors (a double WOW if you add in Puffins as well!). On days like this, I wish I had my DSLR with me, but as it is my volunteering day, it is my duty to get people onto the birds.

I was never going to get the gob smacking up close and personal images of the BBA that adorn social media, but I did manage some





Razorbills and Guillemots have reduced further as their breeding season come to an end. Most of the birds remaining are probably non breeding birds or females as the male accompanies the "jumpling" in its journey out to sea. It was nice to find one Guillemot with "jumpling" still on the ledges.

Kittiwake chicks, when they fledge and during their first year are known as "Tarrocks". They are splendid birds with an obvious "W" in black across their wings.



Puffins




Fulmar


Gannet Life


Year 2/3 Gannet


Year 4 Gannet




So sad! These Gannets are sitting on infertile eggs. They are so loyal to the egg and nest but they will not raise a Guga this year.



All images taken handheld with Sony RX10 Mk4.