Boat journey along the cliffs from Bridlington to Bempton in sun and rain, plus late afternoon sunny walk in Thornwick Bay -10th June 2026

When the Yorkshire Belle set off from Bridlington the sun was shining, but that was short-lived!

It was dry when we sailed past Flamborough Head and the old lighthouse

There were dark clouds behind the new lighthouse at Flamborough Head

Unfortunately, it then began to rain very heavily and I was forced to retreat into the covered part of the boat where all I could see were raindrops on the window!

Luckily, when the boat stopped at a viewpoint, the rain cleared enough to be able to go back outside

One Bridled Guillemot amongst the others in the water

Razorbills on the side of the cliff

and Kittiwake on nests

and rows of Guillemots

We then set off towards Bempton Cliffs and it started raining heavily again, so I went back inside! 

Fortunately, as before, when the boat stopped in front of some amazing rock formations, it actually stopped raining too 

There were some mini-people standing at a viewpoint in the RSPB reserve at the top of Bempton Cliffs

Northern Gannets and people on the cliffs

More interesting rock formations

Slightly closer view of the Gannets

The people were still a long way away!

Northern Gannet perching low down on the side of the cliff

It was drier on the way back to Bridlington and I was able to sit outside again watching the birds

Atlantic Puffin disturbed by the sound of the boat

and other birds flying away from the Yorkshire Belle

Northern Gannets flying in formation

Group of Guillemots

Heavy rain on the horizon!

Later in the day, back at Thornwick, I went for a sunny walk and saw the Brown Hare again

Male Reed Bunting perching on a Hawthorn

Large Cayuga duck on grass near the edge of the lake

Colourful red Poppies growing at the edge of a field near the lake

Male Greenfinch singing while perching on a small tree

Double rainbow over the sea at Thornwick Bay

Tiny bunny copying the Brown Hare pose!

 

Brown Hare in Thornwick during a morning walk and afternoon birdwatching along the cliffs at North Landing - 9th June 2026

Tuesday began with a Goldfinch collecting nesting material from outside my mobile home

I went for a walk to the lake in Thornwick Bay Holiday Park

A pair of Tufted ducks were on the lake

Beautiful yellow Water Irises at the edge of the lake

I had been hoping to see a Brown Hare and found one hiding in long foliage at the far end of the lake area - just look at those long ears!

Goldfinch perching on a post near the lake

Male Greenfinch on a large pile of earth at the edge of Thornwick nature reserve

Skylark on a path in the holiday park

Male Linnet on wire fence in the holiday park

Goldfinches were gathering nesting material from plants in the hedge

Female Blackbird with lunch for her babies

In the afternoon I walked to North Landing where I found a Painted Lady on Valerian flowers

There was also a Small Skipper butterfly

Further on I saw the Yorkshire Belle as it sailed along below the cliffs during its journey towards Bempton Cliffs

and the small boat that does short trips from North Landing

Later on I saw the Yorkshire Belle again and it sailed back towards Bridlington

and the small boat emerged from the space between the cliffs

Razorbills were sitting on the cliffs between False Mayweed flowers

The sky was looking quite dark behind the old lighthouse

and behind the new lighthouse

Atlantic Puffin perching on the side of the cliff

Large group of Guillemots on the edge of the cliff

Herring gull with two tiny fluffy spotted chicks

Puffins were perching low down on the side of the cliffs

It was raining in the distance

Highland cattle - adult and calf - in a field next to the cliffs

The old lighthouse at Flamborough Head in the distance

  

and both new and old lighthouses below a very dark sky

Another sea-going vessel sailing along below the cliffs

Male Linnet on a bare shrub at the edge of the cliff - it was raining by now!

I was trying to hurry along along under the dark skies

but kept seeing birds on the way - male Greenfinch on the left and female Linnet on the right

Rain above Thornwick Bay Holiday Park

I managed to get back just before there was a heavy deluge!

Later on, after dinner, it had stopped raining and I went for another walk round the site where there was a wonderful display of pink and grey clouds