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.

Monday, 5 July 2021

RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 4th July 2021

Bempton Cliffs Sea Fret

A bit of a strange day awaited me on the cliffs today! Arriving early in a rather thick sea fret, I started some of my volunteer duties - emptying the dog poo bins, restocking the bird feeders and litter picking! The sea fret didn't look to be in a hurry to clear so I contemplated some atmospheric images especially monochrome. After about an hour, the sun started to burn off the sea fret and the rest of the day was glorious, very warm and sunny. 

Images taken during the sea fret









Despite the sea fret, I managed some images of a Puffin with sand eels, off Bartlett Nab



And watched a group of immature year 4 Gannets partnering


Later in the morning two Barn Owls showed well but this is the best I could do from a distance

Most will be aware of the presence during the week of a Black Browed Albatross and some fantastic images appearing on social media. The Albatross had not been reported since Wednesday and I was surprised to receive a text from a friend, Di Stone, visiting from the midlands, that she had seen it off Staple Newk viewpoint! A mad dash to New Rollup viewpoint, looking out to Staple Newk and I soon had the bird, circling over the rock. Messages were put out alerting birders and staff members that the Albatross was back and the reserve got rather busy! Unfortunately, the Albatross flew out to sea, landed and slowly drifted south east towards Thornwick Bay, allowing those with scopes to keep tabs on it. Here it remained until late afternoon when it returned to fly around Staple Newk with occasional sorties along the coast. The bird is still present as I write this at 0800hrs, Monday.

Having seen some fantastic images of the BBA, I have to say that I do not have any, just some record images that I embarrassingly offer below!

It's out there on the sea, somewhere!



Grateful thanks to Di Stone for the BBA "heads up". No thanks at all to the beastly creature that stung me on my neck!

Today, I needed two things - my scope and my DSLR camera, neither of which I had! I tend not to carry them when volunteering.

All images taken handheld with Sony RX10 Mk4.

 

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