Whos keeping an eye on me....

Sunday 7 July 2013

RSPB Bempton Cliffs 2013

My once yearly pilgrimage across country to the east coast of the impressive Bempton Cliffs. This year I am a few months behind schedule and a July visit instead of the normal May visits of previous years. I should be looking at more juveniles and possible chicks on the nest with this visit rather than the frantic nest building of my visits in years past in the very early spring. The menu rarely changes with the guaranteed seven cliff specialist species: Northern Gannet, Northern Fulmar, Atlantic Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Black legged Kittiwake, and Herring Gull. Other birds on show are passerines such as Tree Sparrow, Corn Bunting, Linnet etc.

Looking along the cliff tops (click on the images to enlarge them)
 

 
no love lost with the neighbours (Gannets)

 
..... and the Fulmars 

 
Gannet courtship
 
 
"Love on the rocks" -  mating Guillemots

 
ultimately this is why they come to Bempton .... great breeding ledges!
here a Kittiwake chick sits on the nest with one of the parents in attendance
 
 
second year bird - Gannet
 
 
Razorbill
 

 
with Sand Eels

 
Guillemot
 
 
Everyone's favourite - Atlantic Puffin
this fella tries to see off a Razorbill
 
 
the Razorbills get their own back as the Puffin takes flight

 
Gannet antics
 
 
 

 
 
the very pretty Kittiwake
 
 
Herring Gull
 

1 comment:

Liz said...

Beautiful scenery and gorgeous birds!