On 17th June 2024, I visited the following sites:
RSPB Bempton Cliffs, East Yorkshire
The towering 400 foot high white chalk cliffs at RSPB Bempton Cliffs, which stretch for over 3 miles, are an ideal habitat for breeding seabirds. It is the largest seabird colony in England, the most accessible in Europe (park the car .... short walk .... watch) and it is a site of international importance. From April to August, RSPB Bempton Cliffs supports England's largest population of seabirds (around half a million), including the following key species: Gannet, Puffin, Razorbill, Guillemot, Kittiwake, Fulmar, Herring Gull.
Grassland and scrub along the cliff tops are
also home to breeding and wintering farmland birds.
My best ever experience of breeding seabirds
has been on the island of Hornøya in
the very far north east of Arctic Norway, almost 2300 miles from my home! Slightly closer to home are the seabird colonies on the Farne Islands in
Northumberland, Skomer in west Wales
and Handa in
north west Scotland, all of which I have visited several times, plus other
locations in Shetland and Orkney.
However, for sheer accessibility at a mainland location in the UK, RSPB Bempton Cliffs can not be beaten. No-one can fail to be amazed by the awesome scenery and the abundance of birds, many of which can be watched closely without optics and photographed with ease.
The highlights during my visit were as follows: Gannet (++++), Puffin (c.25), Guillemot (++++), Razorbill (+++), Kittiwake (++++), Fulmar (c.20), Shag (2), Herring Gull (c.20), Tree Sparrow (c.30 around the car park and visitor centre and in fields adjacent to the cliffs), Swallow (4), Skylark (1 singing male), Meadow Pipit (2), Reed Bunting (2 singing males), Linnet (c.10), Kestrel (1 female)
Additions to 2024 UK year list: Puffin, Shag, Tree Sparrow
This short film from the RSPB shows the stunning location that is RSPB Bempton Cliffs ....
Here are some photos from my visit ....
Photo: entrance to RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Photo: entrance to RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Photo: Puffins can even be seen in the RSPB Bempton Cliffs car park!
Photo: Puffins can even be seen in the RSPB Bempton Cliffs car park!
Photo: entrance to RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Photo: RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Photo: RSPB Bempton Cliffs
Photo: Puffin
Photo: Puffin and Razorbills
Photo: Puffins
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Razorbill
Photo: Guillemots
Photo: Fulmar
Photo: Fulmar
Photo: Fulmar
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwakes
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: Kittiwake
Photo: female Kestrel
Love nature .... act now
Stay safe, stay well, stay strong, stay connected with nature
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