7th June '09 Bempton Cliffs

Warm, sunny, very windy on cliff edge.

Bempton Cliffs

Spectacular Cliffs with standing room only.

A long overdo visit to Bempton Cliffs. We weren't let down as far as the Puffins were concerned. The carpark was overflowing and there was a bus unloading its passengers as we arrived. Word must have spread that the Puffins were in town. Although I like them, I much prefer to look at the graceful flights of the majestic Gannet. Because of the crowds we headed southwards along the clifftop. There are just the same birds to be seen, including the Puffins and the scenary is more spectacular. On the landward side the tops are alive with the activities of Larks, Meadow Pipits and you are constantly avoiding headlong collisions with prowling Swallows.

Coming in to land.

And on the cliffs below comes the constant noise of thousands of seabirds. And the smell that goes with them! The considerable updraught enabled the birds to display their marvellous control at the same time providing wonderful photo oppurtunities. The Gannets in particular were able to hover for an age with only the slightest discernable movement of its wings. We could have stayed all day but you can only stand so long perched on the cliffs edge, frozen fingers clinging on to the camera awaiting just one more shot. Yet just a few yards in land and out of the wind the mercury shoots up the glass a couple of inches. We'd had a good day that became even better as 50miles further south we went from sunshine into a tremendous storm. It had been like that all day back home.
Looking towards Flamborough Head.

Puffins, Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbill, Herring Gull, Kittiwake, Larks, Meadow Pipits, Swallow.