Good Day at Bempton

                           Gannets galore are to be seen this time of the year at Bempton Cliffs

                      Love is in the air. Gannets renewing their bonds after being apart all winter

                                                                  Razorbills

Three of us (See Barry's Post) had a great day out at Bempton on Saturday 18th of April. Another day is planned for May. Get in touch with Barry for more details.

First Bempton Trip

As all members should be aware - We had tried to organise 3 Members trips out to Bempton, for the Bird lovers & photographers.
As clearly no one wanted to go we did a Three man trip on Saturday. Should have been 4 but One person had to do other things.
We set off early & not too far from Bridlington we passed a Barn Owl sat right next to the road, as the other two hadn't quite got a good look, the car was turned around & we passed it two more times, on the last pass a second one was noticed, we missed on the first two passes. We then stopped off at a Butty van in a layby & had a short break & a cuppa, & gained more info about local Barn Owls.
We arrived at Bempton around 8.30 & headed off to the cliffs.
At the edge of the car park the bushes were full of Tree Sparrow & Chaffinches were singing everywhere.

 This Tree Sparrow was chewing on the stick in front of it for some reason.

& these 2 were having a good old sing along.

 

Off to the cliffs we went, watching a Kestrel hunting as we walked.

This was the only Puffin shot opportunity on the day.

 

 Lots of stuff to be seen on the ledges - Razorbills seemed to be in good numbers.

 

 A pair getting acquainted.

 Checking me out.

& a few having a committee meeting.

Quite a few Guillemots were around.

 

 A few Kittiwakes.

 Easy, sat still.

A bit harder to photograph in the air, they turn so fast - this is the usual view by the time you focus lock & depress shutter. Ha Ha, either that or it was asking me to kiss it's A**!

 

Fulmars - I felt there were more around than previous years on this visit.

 Here's a Female Fulmar chilling out. 

 A couple zipping around.

I can hear you saying - How's he know it's a Female Fulmar?

Well .... the male showed up & I figured it out:

 

Now for the main reason we go to Bempton:

The Gannets.

 Always pick a good spot to land!

Then you wont skate off! 

Couple of shots of flybys.

 

 Squadron leader with Wing Man. 

Undercarriage down, - coming in.

 Plenty of Bonding going on.

 Lots of nest material moving around.

 

Sometimes as you fire away an interesting shot arises:

Watch where your going Pal!!

 

Later on the clouds moved in & I showed Allan where Filey Dams were.

We were surprised to see a little fella pop out of a box there.

 Just record shots - it was miles away, but clearly a Barn Owl.

After this we were content to return home!

A good day out - Started with Barn Owl & finished with the same, Fantastic.