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