Bempton Gannets 2010

[Ollie]

Hi all.
My good friend Ben (tormentil) and another friend decided to visit Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire today. We had been informed that the Puffins were back on the cliffs as well as all the other sea birds.

We were rather disappointed to find that Puffin numbers were very low. We saw no more than half a dozen in the time we were there and they weren't very active either. By active I mean they weren't flying back and forth as we have seen them doing in previous years.

There were good numbers of Gannet, Kittiwake, Fulmars, Herring Gulls and a few Razorbills and Guillemots. The weather however was not kind to us and we only managed around four hours of photography before having to abandon it because of fog and drizzle.

The Gannets however were present in good numbers and gave excellent photo opportunities which would have been even better had the weather held out. Anyway it's a good excuse for going back mid May when hopefully there should be more Puffins on view.

I have put a few Gannet photos below, hope you like them.

[aeshna5]

Superb shots Ollie. They are magnificent birds.

[darrenm]

Awesome photographs!!!

[glsammy]

We were just today talking about going to Bempton later this month Roger. My mobility isn't too good at the moment but I could make the first viewing area at Bempton.
We went late May last year and saw hardly any Puffins, the staff told me we'd missed the busy nest building stage, so I'd have though now was as good a time as any. Perhaps the numbers are lower than usual?

[Tobyh]

Lovely photos roger, shame about the puffins though. Definitely a place I'd like to visit - shame it's so far from the south coast.

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by glsammy

We were just today talking about going to Bempton later this month Roger. My mobility isn't too good at the moment but I could make the first viewing area at Bempton.
We went late May last year and saw hardly any Puffins, the staff told me we'd missed the busy nest building stage, so I'd have though now was as good a time as any. Perhaps the numbers are lower than usual?

I'm hoping to get in the second week of May Graham. Either we could meet up at Bempton or you could leave your car at my place and we could travel together. One of these days I will get some decent weather when I go up there.

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Ollie

I'm hoping to get in the second week of May Graham. Either we could meet up at Bempton or you could leave your car at my place and we could travel together. One of these days I will get some decent weather when I go up there.

Personally I wouldn't mind a nice sunny windy day! Those shots you got last year with the birds fighting the windy conditions were superb.
Let me know when your next free to go. There's little around here at the moment at my usual sites.

[riggy]

Superb pictures

Would the setup I currently have Sony A200 with Tamron 70 - 300 lens enable me to get some Ok shots (not as good as yours but worth the petrol!)

Again great shots

Paul

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by riggy

Superb pictures

Would the setup I currently have Sony A200 with Tamron 70 - 300 lens enable me to get some Ok shots (not as good as yours but worth the petrol!)

Again great shots

Paul

70-300mm sounds just fine to me. Bempton viewing is right on the cliff edge and the birds can often be right overhead. I find my zoom lens to be very useful there so you should have no problems with your set up.

[pressld2]

Fabulous photos Roger, as always!

I'm going back to Bempton on the way home from the Farnes just like I did last year and will have Neil (ukwildlifeo) with me this time. We'll be there on Friday 11th June if you (or anyone else) fancies joining us.

Dave P.