It was two thirty am this particular Monday morning and I thought to myself “ah just another thirty minutes and I’ll get up“. Unfortunately it was five thirty am I actually got up and I hate being late as I knew I had a good three hour journey ahead of me.
The thing is I prefer to get to where I’m going early like six am. Still getting on site at nine thirty ain’t all that bad, and I knew that Bempton Cliffs is not the biggest RSPB Reserve but it’s by far the most spectacular.
I got myself a coffee from the shop on site and joined a fellow Birder outside who I found out is one of the regulars there, within five mins a flock of six whimbrel was making its way over us all thanks to the volunteer sat next to me.
Within a few minutes of arriving I had my first of many lifers in the form of a tree sparrow. Here in the Midlands they are pretty scarce but here they are everywhere .
Onwards towards the Cliffs is the sound of many thousands of seabirds ringing in my ears. What a cacophony and that smell. Some people would say it’s an assault on the senses but I just think there are philistines.
I’m greeted with more new lifers (as a side note I’ve been a birder for some thirty seven years since the age of eleven but unfortunately I no longer have my lists back then so have started my new life list beginning of Jam 23) like Gannet, Guillimot, Fulmar, Razorbill and of course Puffin.
The first of the lifers was this Puffin. It’s not the best shot I know but I’m still finding my feet camera wise. I’m sure I could have done better.
Some many thousands of Gannets frequent Bempton Cliffs and if you view closely enough there are some with Blue spray paint patches on the back of heads. These are reseach birds.
By far my Favourite bird (Lifer) had to be this very smart looking Razorbill which also had a young bird with it. I had a total of 45 species for the day and you can view my complete #BirdTrack list HERE.
All in all a good morning / afternoon blast to Bempton Cliffs which was thoroughly enjoyable. I will be back.
