Bempton Cliffs Meet

[Boddie]

As some of you may know I like puffins. But I am not sure I have ever seen one. I think I saw one when I was a child, in Fife. Is that possible? It was inland and flying low, but I was very young. Anyway I digress.

I fancy a meet at Bempton, when the puffins will be there. So can anyone suggest a time window when this would be practical so that I may set in motion a date, or dates to choose from.

Thanks

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Boddie

As some of you may know I like puffins. But I am not sure I have ever seen one. I think I saw one when I was a child, in Fife. Is that possible? It was inland and flying low, but I was very young. Anyway I digress.

I fancy a meet at Bempton, when the puffins will be there. So can anyone suggest a time window when this would be practical so that I may set in motion a date, or dates to choose from.

Thanks

The Puffins are usually back at Bempton by mid April and leave again mid August but this can vary by a week or two either side.

I would definitely be up for this one.
Roger

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by Boddie

I fancy a meet at Bempton, when the puffins will be there. So can anyone suggest a time window when this would be practical so that I may set in motion a date, or dates to choose from.

Thanks

We were at Bempton on 26th and 27th June 2005, but only saw 2 or 3 puffins. We were told that after years of campaigning by the RSPB, a ban on sand eel fishing had just recently come into force, so there is hope that puffin numbers might be increasing now. Before Bempton we had been to the Farne Islands - and that was wonderful for puffins and many other birds.

Photos here: Trip to Farne Islands - June 2005

[mrs fish]

Concerning the sand eels, is the ban on them permanately throughout the year?
I ask because I used to buy them to feed my fish and then the fishing tackle shop that sold them didn't have any more until last week when they had a new batch in, I said "haven't they been banned?" and the man said "only certain times of the year"

I was pleased that they were banned even though they are my fishes fav food but they are such an important food for a variety of sea life and birds.

I wonder what we fish them for, could it be cat food?

[eeyore]

i'm definitely in for this one , again so long as we have picked the date before the end of feb i can plan my summer workload round it.

Talking of puffins I'm going to organise a welsh islands meet , just need to check a few prices then i'll put athread up - you can never have too many puffins

[Elizabeth B]

Originally Posted by mrs fish

Concerning the sand eels, is the ban on them permanately throughout the year?

I wonder what we fish them for, could it be cat food?

I can't answer your first question - but we were told that the sand eels are scooped up in enormous quantities - to make agricultural fertiliser!!!

[Amber]

After last year, would suggest Bempton for the Gannets and Razorbills, but walk about 4 miles south towards the lighthouse for the puffins - they are rather elusive at Bempton, and the crowds can be a bit much.

We're heading to South Stack with the local RSPB group in June - hope to get better puffin sightings there.

[glsammy]

Bempton was awesome last year, we did get Puffins, but not close up. This shot was from Flamborough Head, just down the coast a few miles, and just about the best shot I got.
I'll certainly be going back again this year. June was when we went, I think it was only the second WAB meet.

[Amber]

Flamborough - that's it - last Sunday in June Graham - I recall you avoided Carl and I

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by Amber

Flamborough - that's it - last Sunday in June Graham - I recall you avoided Carl and I

Yep, that was me being ill! I had to go home early, felt rotten with a sore throat, headache, sweating, not too good that day!