Birds of RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Dawn McCall
4 days ago
2 min read

Bempton Cliffs

Have a lovely day at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and saw lots of different seabirds which are attracted to the cliffs to breed. I have visited this nature reserve twice now. The first time I went it was foggy and couldn't see very much but this time was different. This time the weather was dry, clear with some sunshine. This meant I could get some nice pictures of the birds.

Above: Cliffs at Bempton Cliffs

Gannet

These are large elegant seabirds with heavy sharp bills and long wings. There was lots of these birds nests on the cliffs in many different stages in their life. The black birds are the chicks and as they moult their feathers they get gradually whiter, till they reach their full adult plumage. It can take up to 4 years for them to reach full adulthood.

Kittiwakes

The Kittiwake is a type of small gull that has short black legs. They are brilliant fliers that can fly in shearing loops in gales. They take two years to mature into adults. The first two images are of the adult bird in it's summer plumage and the second two are of the juvenile or 1st year bird.

Herring Gull

Herring Gulls are large common gulls that can be seen soaring well on air currents. They mature when they are four/five years old. They go from a brown/white (last two images than were taken further down the coast) and gradually become whiter with grey wings as they get older.

Fulmar

The Fulmar is a gull-like bird but they are more adapted to a life at sea which makes them masterful glides in strong winds. Their legs are at the back-end of thier bodies, this means they cannot stand or walk so sit or shuffle at best when not flying.

Sparrow Hawk

I had a Sparrow Hawk come a land next to me and look out from the cliffs. I believe this one is a female as it is big and browner then the greyer male. These birds are normally elusive hunters praying on small/medium sized birds but this one was happy perching next to me for a few minuties.