On 27th June 2022, I visited RSPB Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire …. see here.
The main reason for my visit was to see the Black-browed Albatross that was again being reported on an almost daily basis since 30th March 2022.
I saw the Black-browed Albatross at RSPB Bempton Cliffs last year (see here, here and here) but I only had a brief view of this very rare vagrant from the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore with the same bird returning for its third summer on the exceptionally early date of 30th March 2022 (see here and here), it would have been rude not to try again to see and photograph this magnificent species.
However, despite arriving at RSPB Bempton Cliffs at 6:30 a.m., I had apparently already missed the bird’s first flight according to other birders who had arrived even earlier. It had returned to its resting place on the cliff ledges immediately below the Staple Newk viewpoint …. out of sight.
Fortunately there is plenty to see, watch and photograph at RSPB Bempton Cliffs which is just as well since the Black-browed Albatross refused to make an appearance until 10:45 a.m., despite the assembled paparazzi wishing to photograph this celebrity.
When the Black-browed Albatross did finally appear to an accompanying shout of “Albatross!”, it delighted observers with some exceptional views as it flew up and down several times just offshore from the cliff face for a period of some 10 minutes. Both the views and photo opportunities were significantly better than my experience last year (see here).
The Black-browed Albatross is the most widespread and common member of its family and it has a circumpolar range in the southern oceans and breeds on 12 islands throughout that range. In the Atlantic Ocean, it breeds on the Falkland Islands, South Georgia, the South Sandwich Islands and the Cape Horn Islands and it also breeds on several islands in the Pacific Ocean. This bird shouldn’t even have crossed the Equator, let alone found its way as far north as the North Sea in Europe and a sea cliff in Yorkshire!
Here is a full species account of the Black-browed Albatross …. Wikipedia - Black-browed Albatross
Here are my photos of the Black-browed Albatross ….
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
Photo: Black-browed Albatross
💚🦆 🦉🦋🐝🦊🦡🌼 🌳💚
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
No comments:
Post a Comment
If you feel like commenting on my blog, you can contact me by completing the comment form below. I will respond to all comments and enquiries and constructive criticism will always be welcomed.