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Mark Pearson
 
If you think it's only about the birds out there beneath our majestic limestone cliffs, think again, writes Mark James Pearson - look out for a variety of amazing sea mammals as you scan the surface from our all-new viewpoints.....
Minke Whale
 
Many might find it hard to believe, but whales, dolphins and porpoises can all be enjoyed from RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and spring is great time to look for them. In fact, it's arguably the peak time to look for one particular species - Bottlenose Dolphins. This powerful, graceful and incredibly intelligent species is seen in variable numbers (and at variable times) each year, but they've recently developed a surprisingly predictable habit: over at least the last three springs, a pod of Bottlenose Dolphins have journeyed all the way down the east coast and have visited the waters below the Bempton and Flamborough cliffs, and always in the remarkably consistent window of late March and April.
 
 
 
Bottlenose Dolphins
 
Thanks to wonders of technology, we know that at least some (and by extension most likely all) of the Bottlenoses that we've observed from the Yorkshire coast in recent springs are from the Moray Firth population in north-eastern Scotland - our communications with experts up there have established identifiable individuals, based on fin shape and coloration! Bottlenose Dolphins are large, robust dolphins with prominent, tall dorsal fins located about halfway along the body. Their obvious 'bottlenoses' and plain greyish coloration separate them from all other dolphin species which may occur locally, but porpoises represent an identification trap for the unwary (see below).
 
 
A (sadly deceased) White-beaked Dolphin, just across the bay at Filey in January
 
Of the other dolphin species, White-beaked is the most likely, and occurs annually in the local area in small numbers; indeed, a semi-resident population off the Durham & Northumberland coast may be responsible for many of our records here in Yorkshire. Unlike Bottlenose Dolphins, however, there seems to be no real pattern of occurrence, with records from all times of year - theoretically, then, you could bump into a pod on any visit to Bempton! They're a similar size and shape to Bottlenoses, but have distinctive pale grey panels along their sides and behind the dorsal fin, set against a darker background; they also lack the prominent longer beak of the latter, instead having a short and stubby 'nose', diagnostically coloured white (hence the name).
 
 
Harbour Porpoise
 
Harbour Porpoises are by far the commonest cetacean in our area and can be seen at any time of year, often in ones and twos but sometimes also in loose family parties. Unlike their larger relatives, they're fond of shallower inshore waters and can often be observed surprisingly close-in; despite this, confusion with dolphins is commonplace, but can usually be avoided by a combination of factors. For starters, they're much the smallest of all cetaceans in the North Sea (only about a metre and a half long when fully grown), and are usually visible only briefly on every characteristically rounded 'roll' above the surface. Most tellingly, their dorsal fin is short and stubby, and roughly triangular in shape.
 
 
Harbour Porpoise
 
How many visitors to Bempton would know to look out for whales, particularly in summer and early autumn? Those of you travelling over to enjoy our show-stopping seabird melodramas on the cliffs may want to linger a little longer at our brand new viewpoints and scan the water for the often equally breath-taking sight of a Minke Whale breaking the surface. Minkes are by far the commonest whale species to be seen from our coastline, and are happily an increasingly regular presence - some years are better than others, but there are conditions which seem to attract them further south from their usual haunts, and it's now more unusual not to record them in the summer months.
 
 
Minkes are the only whale species likely to found inshore, and here at Bempton and at nearby Filey, they've been known to come in remarkably close to cliffs in the last few years. they're quite unlike any other cetaceans you're likely to encounter, with a much longer roll above the surface than e.g. dolphins, reflective of their much larger size, and the tall, sickle-shaped dorsal fin is diagnostically positioned much further along the back, towards the tail. Here's a few hints to keep in mind when you're scanning the surface for our exotic visitors.
 
 
The best time of year is between June and September, and the best viewing conditions are when the sea is still and calm and the light is good - it's stating the obvious, but the less swell, the easier cetaceans are to spot. However, it's possible to enjoy great views of Minkes when there's a considerable swell - they're just a little harder to follow, so don't let the waves put you off.
 
Be patient. Again obvious, but it's not Seaworld (thankfully!) - take your time, enjoy the the other oceanic wildlife on offer, and make the most of a sighting when it happens, however brief. You may be overwhelmed by sightings, you may get one good view, or you may not have any luck.
 
Look everywhere. While the majority of sightings are at some distance - binoculars needed, telescope preferable - Minkes have occupied pretty much every area of visible ocean, right down to just a few hundred metres offshore.
 
Follow the silver lines and the seabirds. The Minkes often use the silvery lines in the water as 'avenues', and they're attracted to feeding frenzies (comprised of seabirds gorging on fish in large flocks) - if the birds suddenly panic and take flight, watch the water beneath them!
 
 
What about other whales? Well, they're much less likely, but based on recent sightings nearby, they're increasingly possible.... Humpbacks are now annual off the Whitby coast (as well as off East Anglia), while the same productive oceanic hotspot has also attracted the extremely rare Fin and Sei Whales - with the latter first appearing just over the bay at Filey! How long before an intrepid visitor spots one of these incredible beasts offshore from the Bempton clifftop? It could be you.....
 
Words & pictures Mark James Pearson