Whos keeping an eye on me....

Thursday 10 May 2012

Seabirds at Bempton - an annual pilgrimage

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 

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

This year however there was one suprise, just down the coast at Flambrough a bird had shown up in a small wooded copse close to the cliffs. A possible Atlas Flycatcher. To be honest a week on and after much debate the birds true identity is still somewhat of a mystery. Some say Pied Flycacher x Collored Flycatcher hybrid, others say Iberian Pied Flycatcher, some really dont think it is the first ever visit of an Atlas Pied Flycatcher..... while others do

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











22 comments:

Amila Kanchana said...

Lovely birds,specially the puffins,and some great BIFs I see!

Connie Smiley said...

Those are gorgeous shots of those beautiful birds! Who wouldn't go anytime they had a chance to? So glad you shared them with us.

tiptoethruphylsgarden.blogspot.com said...

I 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

Tammy said...

Beautiful 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.

Brian King said...

Awesome variety of birds! Love that Gannet portrait!

Karen said...

Wow, what a great series!

Unknown said...

Stunning series Dave!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

theconstantwalker said...

Wonderful images Dave! The puffin flight shots are fantastic to see.

mick said...

The photos of the coast show a really spectacular place. Great photos of the birds also.

fjällripan said...

Wow what a great place to visit!! Beautiful photos of both the nature and birds!! :)

HansHB said...

Awesome serie! I love puffins, - They are great!

Springman said...

Yeah! Just look at those birds and landscapes. That trip is a no brainer. The gannet portrait is beyond beautiful.
Cheers Dave!

Pat said...

Such beautiful scenery and so many gorgeous birds. Your photography is excellent!

genie said...

Your 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

Vores have said...

Great pictures you show.
Wishing you a good day.
Hanne Bente / hbt.finus.dk

Arija said...

What a great collection of cliff-dwellers and a mystery bird to finish with.

Stewart M said...

Hi 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!

Cheers (and thanks for making me a bit home sick!) Stewart M - Australia

Adam Jones said...

Great stuff Dave. Bempton Cliffs is somewhere I need to get to this year.

Carole M. said...

Glad 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.

Gemma Wiseman said...

Love this series of birds! Especially love the ones in flight - especially the puffin! It looks like a cheeky toy!

Sallie (FullTime-Life.com said...

Amazing birding Dave. I'd give anything to see and photograph a puffin.

Les fous du cap said...

Very nice set with birds that we love.
Céline & Philippe