When to visit Bempton Cliffs?

zan · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 09:33 AM

Morning all,

I'm starting to think about some of the places I'd like to visit for a few photography trips this year and Bempton Cliffs is pretty high up the list to photograph the gannets. I'm based in Glasgow, so I would probably be looking to spend a weekend or two down that way over the summer at some point, the only question is what time of year to go. If anyone's been before can you suggest when is best? I've already got a lot of flight and feeding shots, but none of gannets nesting etc. I'm interested in the pair bonding behaviour around the nests, and it would be cool to see the fledglings while they're still all fluffy

Any advice would be much appreciated!

darrenm · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 10:29 AM

Bempton can be very,very rewarding in both spring and autumn but have had some stunning views of the Gannet there at the nest sites in May and June but be well prepared for the waft of guano

It's also a superb place for migrant bird species if you catch it right both during spring and autumn. The added bonus is a resident Tree Sparrow population near the visitor centre. In September have seen good numbers of Whinchat and Wheater on the old nearby MOD base and there is always chance of something a bit more rare showing up.

A boat trip out to sea run by the RSPB from Bridlington on the Yorkshire Belle can also be very rewarding and it will take you under the cliffs at Bempton and tickets can be booked from April-October, check the net for times and dates and photography is allowed from the boat. Purple Sandpiper can be found on the Harbour Wall in Bridlington and good Kittiwake numbers. September can be very good for Shearwaters.Look out for Harbour Porpoise from the boat and from the cliffs and a few years back was lucky enough to also get superb views of a Minkie Whale from the boat.

Hope this was of some use

zan · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 10:45 AM

yeah that's great cheers

I'm away on holiday for most of May, so it'll probably be June before I get a chance to head down. When do the eggs start hatching? I'm definitely up for doing more than one trip if it's as good as it sounds, but I do want to get the timing right!

The shearwaters boat trip sounds cool too, I'll have a look into that.

BillyPilgrim · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 11:54 AM

I can't add much to what Darren said regarding Bempton so I thought I'd point out a couple of other sites just in case you're interested.

Just down the cliffs from Bempton is the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust site, Flamborough Cliffs. Species wise it should be much the same as Bempton but might be worth a look if you have the time -

Nature Reserves :: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

If you visit during September then Spurn Point can be well worth a visit. Especially if there is an easterly wind to blow the migrants off course. Its a fair way down the coast but if you get the urge...

Spurn Point :: Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

darrenm · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2010, 04:10 PM

hi zan, i couldnt tell you when the Gannet chicks hatch exactly at Bempton because i always seem to miss it on my visits

and maybe a local to the area on this site could help you out with exact details or a phone call to the visitor centre may put you more in the picture

.

Agree with BillyPilgrim about Flamborough and had forgotten to mention it in my first posts, so no offence to anyone who lives in the area

. It's also a superb area but found it best to do any birding or photography before all the tourists get out and about. The cliffs around Flamborough Head area can be superb during autumn migration period but again avoid busy times and Bank holidays can be a bit of a nightmare.....but there is still a chance of some good species showing up even with crowds around.

There are also miles of coastal footpaths which are worth walking if its busy in some of the more famous areas and some spectacular views of the sea and surrounding landscape can be had at all times of the year.

If you intend to travel to Spurn Point check out the Spurn Point website to see whats around, the obs there gives very regular updates of all good sightings and not just birds.

Post some pics for us all to see when you decide to visit

zan · #6 (**permalink**) 09-04-2010, 10:11 AM

Nice one, thanks for all the information I'll keep it in mind and hopefully try and get round as many of these places as I can over the summer

I'll hopefully be heading down in June for the first trip and we'll see how it goes from there! with a bit of luck I'll have some photos to show for it all and I'll let you know how it turns out.

Thanks again!