I had the most lovely day out ever yesterday (what a different sort of a day to today) - beautiful sunshine, beautiful views and beautiful birds to look at.
Instead of spending the whole day at Bempton my friend and I decided to walk across the cliffs to Flamborough - 3 1/4 miles to Flamborough North Landing and then another 1 3/4 to Flamborough Head where the lighthouse is, but it was really beautiful - we took so long admiring the views, having a picnic an taking photographs that we didn't get there until 4.30 pm - just in time for coffee and a scone (of course!) and ended up getting a taxi back to Bempton.
Apart from the birds, the cliff tops were a riot of colour with the butterflies, insects, wild flowers, grasses etc - just gorgeous. Anyway, I thought I'd share a few photos of the day because I could well recommend it if anyone is going to that area.
Starting at Bempton visitor centre, the roof was full of tree sparrows and swallows:
As soon as we got to the first viewing point a kind RSPB volunteer asked us if we would like to see a puffin through his telescope! We thought that might be it for the day, but there were to be others later on!
I took so many photos (over 300) that I'm trying to be a bit selective, so I'll miss out the photos of gannet rock and onto the linnets which were very plentiful on the fields and pathway.
Fabulous views along the way - this is the view we had whilst eating our picnic.
We arrived at Thornwick Bay (there's a cafe there for a coffee stop it you want one, and plenty of picnic tables overlooking the bay.
Next up, Flamborough North landing - such a picturesque place.
From here, we rejoined the coastal path and set off towards Flamborough Head - we hadn't gone too far before these lovely chaps on the cliffs - there were actually quite a lot of them flying around and perching on various cliff edges - most of them were out of camera range but managed to get quite a few shots like this - we were thrilled!!
Along to the next inlet where there were quite a few shags around.
And I'll finish with a good old jackdaw! I've got lots more of the gannets etc at Bempton, but perhaps another thread!
See my Flickr photos here
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115745582@N04/
Great set of pictures Christine, glad you enjoyed one of our favorite walks, it is nice any time of the year, but best when the birds are about, did you not see the resident Peregrines ?
To each their own
Thanks, nighthawk - I did see a peregrine at Bempton last year, but not this time - just means I'll have to go and have another look doesn't it?! It was such a beautiful walk that I'll be working on my family to go back there with me in the not too distant future!
Great shots Christine, from just about my favourite place in the world. I was up there last week and was lucky enough to see not only a Peregrine, scattering a large flock of Kittiwakes, but also a Bonxie (Great Skua) which also caused quite a bit of consternation - and that was just among us watchers!
Didn't see many Puffins though and no Shags so I guess we're about even :)
Regards
Ian
Thanks Alan and Ian
Ian - I was born and brought up in Yorkshire and spent almost every holiday as a child in either Bridlington and Scarborough but in those days all the time was spent on the beach (my dad made the best ever sand castles!!) and not bird watching. This was my fourth trip to Bempton this year, but the first time I have taken that walk, and it certainly won't be the last. I would go back tomorrow if I could.
I know the feeling Christine! My caravan is on the cliffs just behind the Thornwick Bay park and it's just a mile walk over the fields (by Public Footpath!) to a point on the coastal path about 1/2 a mile above Thornwick Bay.
When I was up there last month my son drove up to join me for the weekend, and on the Sunday we walked the coastal path to the Lighthouse. It was a lovely day and once we passed North Bay we had the sight and sounds of the seabirds - and the sea! - to our left and a field full of Skylarks to our right. At one point a male skylark rose vertically out of the grass, singing his little head off, and I was able to get a couple of shots.
At the Lighthouse end of the path we stopped and had breakfast at the cafe opposite the Golf Club - great quality and value - before walking back the same way.
Happy days!
What a fantastic spot for your caravan! You are making me feel so envious! And well done on getting a skylark in flight!
I'm no good at all at identifying bird calls, but there was lots of singing going on in the background, and lots of corn buntings and meadow pipts flitting around - not to mention the swallows constantly flying right in front of my nose taunting me because I couldn't get a photo to save my life! The photos I put up are just a few of the things I saw - I took a lot of the butterflies and flowers too.
Great pictorial account of your walk, Christine. What fabulous views! Lovely bird photos, it's good to see some Kittiwake chicks looking nearly ready to fledge.
My blog: http://mazzaswildside.blogspot.co.uk/
My Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/124028194@N04/
Thanks aiki - here's another photo showing some rather grown up looking kittiwake chicks
Glad you enjoyed the walk Christine,it is a good one.
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
It would be well worth parking up at Flamborough North Landing and finding the start of the walk up to the lighthouse. You don't have to go very far before you see the great views. I've just looked at the times on my photos and it was literally 10 minutes from the landing to the place where I took the puffin photos.