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