As the title suggests this is my once yearly visit to Bempton Cliffs. I am sat here asking myself the question of why? why make the 3 hour journey to the otherside of the country to see 6 species of seabirds? - no less- no more, just the same 6.
Fulmar, Northern Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, Atlantic Puffin and Kitiwake
Is it to generate 6 guaranteed year ticks to my birding list - possibly. Is it because I can get some fairly easy in-flight shots - again possibly (but this realy does depend on the weather), or is it just because its a fabulous place to visit - probably.
Still not fully sure, but anyway here are the results of pilgrimage 2012
please click on an image to maximise the resolution
please click on an image to maximise the resolution
Bempton Vistors centre
breeding ledges being taken up
low tide along the coast
every crevice utilised
the weather turns for the worse
The real stars of the day
Atlantic Puffin
Gannet
Razorbill
Guillemot
Fulmar
Kittiwake
To be honest we may never know, but it was a smart bird to see and I am glad I took time out to catch a sighting of the latest UK mystery
Lovely birds,specially the puffins,and some great BIFs I see!
ReplyDeleteThose are gorgeous shots of those beautiful birds! Who wouldn't go anytime they had a chance to? So glad you shared them with us.
ReplyDeleteI can understand why you hike there,how beautiful the cliffs & waves,& the birds!!!Just a seemingly peaceful place to be for awhile.Thank-you for sharing these birds I may never have otherwise seen,phyllis
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the Puffin. We don't have them here, but I did spot a few years ago on a visit to Alaska. I've never seen a Gannet - another beauty for sure.
ReplyDeleteAwesome variety of birds! Love that Gannet portrait!
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great series!
ReplyDeleteStunning series Dave!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteWonderful images Dave! The puffin flight shots are fantastic to see.
ReplyDeleteThe photos of the coast show a really spectacular place. Great photos of the birds also.
ReplyDeleteWow what a great place to visit!! Beautiful photos of both the nature and birds!! :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome serie! I love puffins, - They are great!
ReplyDeleteYeah! Just look at those birds and landscapes. That trip is a no brainer. The gannet portrait is beyond beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave!
Such beautiful scenery and so many gorgeous birds. Your photography is excellent!
ReplyDeleteYour pictures are gorgeous and I really like the way you put the name of the bird on its photo. That is a great help to those of us who are just starting our birding hobby at 73. The puffins were my favorites, but all of your pictures are so stunning. Kudos to you, Dave, for giving me a good learning experience tonight. genie
ReplyDeleteGreat pictures you show.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk
What a great collection of cliff-dwellers and a mystery bird to finish with.
ReplyDeleteHi there - what a great set of pictures - I wonder what the mystery bird will turn out to be - I suppose it all depends on what the BTO rarities committee think!
ReplyDeleteCheers (and thanks for making me a bit home sick!) Stewart M - Australia
Great stuff Dave. Bempton Cliffs is somewhere I need to get to this year.
ReplyDeleteGlad you did your annual pilgrimage to capture these lovely photos for your blog. That coastline is majestic, and I adore the Atlantic Puffin. The close up of the Gannet, beautiful. They're all wonderful in their own special way.
ReplyDeleteLove this series of birds! Especially love the ones in flight - especially the puffin! It looks like a cheeky toy!
ReplyDeleteAmazing birding Dave. I'd give anything to see and photograph a puffin.
ReplyDeleteVery nice set with birds that we love.
ReplyDeleteCéline & Philippe