Friday 13 August 2010

RSPB Bempton Cliffs


About 10 days ago, Kath, my sister, and I went up to Bempton Cliffs near the town of Bridligton. The purpose of the visit was to see and photograph Puffin. The cliffs of this bird reserve are about 400 feet high and is an important UK breeding site for Puffin, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittywake, Gannet and other cliff nesting sea birds. Look closely at the cliff in the foreground and each white dot is a Gannet. The gannet has a wing span of about 6 foot. Quite a large bird.
 
A different angle on part of the previous photo. The darker birds are the juvenile Gannet who are not yet ready to fly the nest.

A closer shot of the same cliff.

You guessed it, most of the smaller bird species had already flown the nest.
Here are just a few remaining Kittywake. No Puffin, no razorbill, no Guillemot.
We did see a few puffin. Just left of center is a small group on the sea below the cliffs. A last years (I think) Gannet is flying overhead.
Oh well, we'll have to be earlier next year if we want to photograph puffin.

4 comments:

  1. Actually I am on the other side of your country in Eastbourne. The cliffs are white there are lot of seagulls and yesterday the Airshow started here and will last until Sunday.

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  2. What an amazing sight that must have been. Wonderful photos! Thanks for stopping by, have enjoyed my return visit.
    An English Girl Rambles

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  3. I guess you and Kath were Puffin to, climbing up there.
    Great photos BH, and a wonderful Nature post my friend.

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  4. I love gannets, especially when they plunge into the sea!

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