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

Mr Unlucky

Horwich, Bolton - 1.9.20

So there I am just having just painted the gate on my mums house in the Forest of Dean and a message appears on the web chat Monday morning than a Wryneck has appeared at Horwich, as I'm two hundred miles away there's no chance of me getting there, too make matters worse there's some cracking images beginning to appear of the bird practically at their feet....doh !

Now Tuesday pm I'm back op norf and made the drive over to Horwich to join what must be twenty birders eager to get a Manchester "tick"of this now uncommon/rare passage migrant. The Wryneck proving very elusive only appearing every so often and then only giving fleeting glimpses, it's a waiting game, you know the usual occupation "twitching"

After a lot of waiting around I've only managed a single sighting and a very quick set of images of the bird perched in a pine tree many of which are obscured by branches, with some editing I've managed to salvage an single image to record the event.

I'm not at all jealous....really, of the many images from yesterday, like the ones on the fence posts or rock that keep appearing on the web....really....grrrrr

Thats the way it goes I guess, sometimes you get some images, sometimes you don't 

Wryneck

Not MUFC - The Other Red's

Red Squirrel - 3.8.20

It's a trip up north this morning to spend some time with Red Squirrels, loads of Red Squirrels.....

Work in progress