The sea birds are back in great numbers! Gannets, Guillimots, Razorbills. Puffins,Fulmars and Kittiwakes are all back at RSPB Bempton Cliffs ready for the breeding season. Around 250,000 birds will have arrived by mid May all making use of the shear cliff faces that make ideal nesting ledges.... I say ideal as a pair of Gannets may just about get 12" of space to live, mate, feed, Incubate eggs and rear their off spring.... truly incredible. Most birds will be returning to the exact same spot as the previous years.
Yesterday I arrived early and before most of the Bank Holiday visitors arrived. Its always busy so any lingering photo shots or just being stood there watching the vast numbers of birds needs to be done early in the day, by lunchtime I am usualy on my way leaving the extravorganzer to the masses!
First port of call was to the one of the viewing points to see the Gannets gathering nesting materials from the top of the cliffs, always stunning views as these images show.
I try to make the 3hr trip at least once a year, the sound and smells are intense, the shear numbers are incredible, but the whole scene is spectacular.
Yesterday I arrived early and before most of the Bank Holiday visitors arrived. Its always busy so any lingering photo shots or just being stood there watching the vast numbers of birds needs to be done early in the day, by lunchtime I am usualy on my way leaving the extravorganzer to the masses!
First port of call was to the one of the viewing points to see the Gannets gathering nesting materials from the top of the cliffs, always stunning views as these images show.
Can this fella actualy see?
enough bedding for everyone
of course the real reason for all the birds being here is for the breeding.
This pair of Gannets are in courtship on the cliff face
The other birds are no less spectaular
Razorbill
Guillemot
Herring Gull
(standing on her nest, how about that for a view from your house!)
Kittiwake
I partucularly enjoy seeing the Fulmars, however yesterday only a handful were showing and I didnt get any worthy images.
However this is really why the 100,000s of visitors turn up each year...
The iconic Puffin
Having a preen
just looking very cute
Of course being along the coast always brings a suprise or two, yesterday being no different I was able to bag myself a new bird, albeit too distant for more than a humble record shot, however he looked stunning in the scope
Grasshopper Warbler
I think there is still time to make another visit in the coming month!
18 comments:
The puffins are my favourite!! Great show. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
What fantastic shots! We're hoping to head over next weekend. Nice spot with the Warbler!
Pam
the gannet shots are stunning--with that bit of grass in his mouth and blowing back--WOW just remarkable! All the photos are awesome--quite a fruitfull trip I'd say!!!
These are absolutely wonderful! I feel like I'm watching a NG documentary.
Definitely worth the mileage Dave and you brought back an excellent series of images. Somewhere I have never been .. must put it on the 'visit' list.
Congrats on the Gropper .. albeit distant it is certainly a good one to find.
Stunning birdshots! The birds are all so beautiful, and you are a very good photographer!
Wow! so nice photos of really exotic birds!
Awesome series of birds and photos. My favorites are the Gannets and the Puffins.
Fantastic photos of all the seabirds. The only ones I know well are Gannets and they are always beautiful.
Lovely selection Dave. Especially like the Gannets.
Ohmigoodness! These are terrific. Love the gannet and puffin shots especially. Do go back for another visit!
Great! A very beautiful set of pictures. Well done!
Hi Dave,This is all so wonderful! Yours is another great wildlife photography blog for my reading list.
Awesome series! Love the Puffins! They should be returning to our Maine islands soon to breed.
Beautiful images Dave it's looks well worth a visit. Having a break in Keswick this week and the weather is amazing....
Whoa! I can't wait to see your spectacular collection on a larger monitor when I get home. These amazing shots are crystal clear. What ever the set up on your camera you really hit gold time after time. It doesn't get any better than this Dave. Bravo!
You are all very kind with your comments. I, like you, love to share this stuff through our blogs with whoever finds time to have a quick browse, I say keep up the good work everyone.
You're an amazing photographer! This is a beautiful collection of seabirds.
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