Puffin good time at Bempton

'Wow' and 'amazing' are words often over used, but last Wednesday I couldn't stop them from continually spilling out of my mouth in my excitment at seeing so many seabirds and their fluffy chicks.

You see I was at our Bempton Cliffs nature reserve, and was bowled over by the whole experience.

Admittedly, the smell was interestingly fishy, but, to be honest, I didn't really notice it after I'd spotted my first gannet effortlessly gliding by, close enough to look in the eye.

Then I spotted my first guillemot, followed by my first razorbill, my first tree sparrow, fulmar, puffin, meadow pipit....

I found it - yes, you've guessed it - totally amazing and wow.

The hustle, bustle, noise and sheer number of birds was nothing like I had expected, or experienced before, even though I'd read that the cliffs appear to be alive with birds at this time of year. I felt privileged to be able to watch young kittiwakes being fed their meal of regurgitated fish, see groups of gannets patrolling along the cliff top, and be amused by the many neighbourly disputes settled by a sharp poke from a beak.

As I was peering over the cliff edge, I saw one of our Date with Nature Gannet and Puffin cruises meandering along below. The boat got so close to the cliff, I can only imagine what I'd have said had I been on that trip!

My only disappointment for the day was having to return to landlocked Bedfordshire!

I'd love to know if you've been to Bempton, or on one of our cruises. Where are your favourite places to watch seabirds? Register for free, then leave me your comment.