The stars of the show at RSPB Bempton Cliffs are usually the stunning seabirds.
However, the arrival of a rarity, in the shape of a black-browed albatross, has seen a number of famous faces head to the East Yorkshire cliff tops over the past couple of months.
Actor, Sam West, star of Channel 5s hit series, All Creatures Great and Small, spent a morning searching for the oceanic bird. Sam has visited the cliff tops with his family several times and describes the nature reserve as ‘sheer paradise’. And it’s definitely one of his ‘go to’ places for a little R &R when he’s filming in Yorkshire.
The gigantic seabird, usually found in the southern hemisphere around The Falklands, also impressed the BBC.
Anita Rani and the Countryfile Team filmed on the reserve during the summer and captured some stunning footage of the albatross. The One’s Show’s popular bird watching duo, Ollie Olanipekun and Nadeem Perara, founders of ‘Flock Together’, were also gobsmacked by a fly past from the gigantic bird, whose wingspan is around 8 feet.
In July, popular TV medic Dr Amir Khan took a tour of the cliff tops before joining the Bempton Cliffs’ team on a seabird cruise aboard the Yorkshire Belle. He was wow’d by the spectacle of diving gannets, tweeting that they were ‘a sight to behold’.
And amongst the high-profile birdwatchers, Mya-Rose Craig, aka Birdgirl, was one of those who travelled miles to catch even a glimpse of the albatross. This enthusiastic young ornithologist and wildlife champion is inspiring the next generation to appreciate the natural world through connecting with her thousands of followers on Twitter and Instagram
Dave O’Hara, Site Manager at RSPB Bempton Cliffs said:
‘In many ways this has been a year like no other on the cliff tops: the arrival, and extended stay, of the black-browed albatross has made it even more special. We’re delighted to have been able to share seeing this magnificent seabird with so many people. And while it’s been a joy to welcome so many celebrities, equally it’s been a privilege to meet all the visitors who journeyed from around the country to see this incredible bird that’s so far very from home.’