Dive Time

Bempton Cliffs - 11.9.20

With all the restrictions in place this year visiting sea bird colonies particularly the Farne islands, I decided a spur of the moment decision to sign on the very last Gannet Diving trip of the year with Steve Race Yorkshire Coast Nature off the cliffs at Bempton.

It's the usual 7.0am start meeting up at the harbour for the ninety minuet sail up to Bempton but this time having the luxury of staying at the Premier Inn five minuets away so a very much more relax start. The sail up was pretty much uneventful spotting only a small group of Common Scoter on route.

Work in progress, more text and images to follow

Northern Gannet

This area of the cliffs is what's known as RSPB Bempton which is home to the main Gannet colony. The arch at sea level in the distance is called Staple Newk

Staple Newk... I believe the name given to the rock arch you can see just at sea level seen from the boat 

A different perspective of the viewing platform above Staple Newk which I was stood on yesterday

Juvenile Gannet

This juvenile was spotted leaving the cliffs landing on the sea, at this time they can't fly as they are too heavy, after around three weeks and some weight loss they final take to the air eventually heading south to winter off the coast of West Africa. 

This individual is being harassed by a gull.

This juvenile looks a little older showing more white in the neck

Adult Gannet

The gannets seem to know whats about to happen circulating the boat for imenent feeding extravaganza

The dive !

Way to late on this shot, more practice needed

Finally...the prise

Looks like there's a dispute who's fish this is

Gannets will readily rob each other of fish, the fish only safe when it's swallowed 

Few Days Away

RSPB Bempton - 10.9.20

Well I'm back at RSPB Bempton cliffs this afternoon as I'm on the very last Steve Race gannet diver trip of the year, well it wouldn't be right not to spending a breezy sunny afternoon here with great views out over the North Sea.

The last time I was here a little over a month ago there were still quite a few auks about even an odd puffin but today it's very different, its autumn and very quite with all cliff breeders now departed to northern latitudes apart from the Gannets that will also depart in a few weeks but the other way...south.

The plan for this afternoon is to head towards Staple Newk where the Black Browed Albatros was first seen amongst the Gannet and try for some shots of the Gannet on the grass cliff top. Earlier in the year the Gannets were right on the very top of the cliff but today they are just poking their heads above the grass which makes for an alternative shot especially when the sun appearance.

With the breeds season well and truly over photo opportunities are few so the remainder afternoon is about enjoying a great location and of course the last Gannets this season. I will post a few more images a little later.

Northern Gannet

Return to Bempton

RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 21.7.21

With the disappointment of the Farne Islands still shut to the public for the remainder of the year it's a return to Bempton cliffs before the auk breeding season ends in the next few weeks. It's a great day to be out and about with a light breeze blue sky's the order of the day, having said that the strong sunlights not going to help getting any decent images.

Lock down is well and truly over with the carpark full at 9.30am and people queuing to to pay to access the reserve a few maybe even hoping to see an Albutross. RSPB Bempton Cliff not having hides is one of the few reserves that seem to be back to normal, there's even toilets, tea and coffee available...cracking ! onwards down to the cliffs.

Work in progress

Northern Gannet

So Close to A Black Browed Albatross

RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 2.7.20

Well its been some months since I was last out with the camera due to travel restrictions related to Corvid 19, so with all my planned trips up to the Farne Isle in Northumberland cancelled until next year the next best is a trip over to Bempton Cliffs on Yorkshires east coast.

RSPB Bempton with over 500,000 breeding sea birds has the largest mainland Gannet colony in the UK including large numbers of Razorbills, Guillemots and to lesser extent Puffins. Its a little over a 90 minuets drive to Bempton so we set off around 7.30am to arrive around 9.0am in ample time before the car park fills up.

Carking up toilets are the first priority followed by the obligatory images of the resident Tree Sparrows to be found on the reception building, then it's the short walk down across the field to the first viewing platform overlooking the cliffs. It's maybe two years since may last visit, the sights, the sounds and smell always amaze and being a weekday people numbers are quite low not like my last visit where its so busy viewing was just impossible.

Today I'm using the 7D2 and the 500 with the 1.4 extender just to give that little extra reach, its not all action as I'm looking for that shot where the bird is sat on the end of a rock which will stand out from the sea in the distance. Whilst the Gannet numbers healthy enough Razorbills and Guillemots especially Puffins don't seem to be as plentiful as my last visit.

Razorbill

Having watched this Razorbill for half an hour going through some wing flapping and yawning it gave some different photo opportunities than the usual sat on a rock pose

Northern Gannet

Gannets always provide give a good subject albeit on the day the light winds didn't give those hanging shots just as they land. Below are some general flight shots with the 100-400 lens

Fulmar

Resident cliff breeder superficially looking like a gull but in fact a Petrol, a bird of the open sea.

Guillemot

Now here's a bird you can spend time photographing with little success, zooming built like with images missing either a head or tail missing or just plainly out of focus !

Tree Sparrow

Tree Sparrows can be found in and around the reception building utilising nest boxes provided on the side of the building.

Now you may be wondering about the blog title, here's the story.

It's late in the afternoon around 4.30pm and after a long day we are sat in the car enjoying a coffee and a bite to eat, no rush just relaxing then around 5.0pm we decide to head for home, now my iPhone 6 not being the latest model isn't getting any reception, if I had I would have seen a report on BirdGuides of a Black Browed Albatross which had been picked up in amongst the Gannet colony no more than 600 meters away from where we are sat, it's only when we get home I see the report, what a missed opportunity !

With my "twitching" days way behind me I'm not really inclined for an immediate return visit. You've all seen the images from a brief visit of the Albatross the following morning, and some crackers too, but thats all history now. Happy birding.