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.

Tuesday, 13 July 2021

Late to the Party! Black Browed Albatross, Bempton Cliffs - 13th July 2021

 

I have to say that even though I live just a mile from the cliffs, I haven't really put in much time with the Black Browed Albatross. I've seen it and obtained some record shots, but that is as far as it went! Today, I planned our dog walk to have a better look, but when my alarm went off, I looked outside and was greeted with rain and fog! Is it July or November? I delayed the walk and nearly didn't bother, but eventually decided to venture out in the fog with the intention of some atmospheric monochrome shots. In thick fog, walking up Cliff Lane, a message came out that the Albatross had been seen sitting on the cliffs. In this fog? How has anyone seen it? Well, I continued and when I arrived at the cliffs, the fog was lifting and reasonable visibility was returning.


On arrival at New Rollup viewpoint, I met fellow blogger, Penny Clarke, who kindly allowed me to see the Albatross through her scope, it was perched on its favourite spot above Staple Newk.

I decided to take a "record shot" 😇, (well its on there somewhere 😇)

I decided to head around to Staple Newk viewpoint, where only a few birders were waiting, in the hope that it would fly. After a while, the Albatross took a brief flight and returned to the cliff out of sight of my position. It flew again after about 30 minutes, this time making several circles of Staple Newk. The light was dull with heavy cloud but I'm happy to get on the Albatross, even though I am very late to the party!










All images taken handheld. View images with Sony RX10 Mk4 and Albatross images with Canon 7D Mk2 and 400mm 5.6 prime lens, all at high ISO.

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