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!

 

Birds and wildlife seen during morning walk in Thornwick and an afternoon walk to South Landing - 8th May 2025

In the morning I walked along a footpath at the edge of Thornwick Bay holiday park

A male Chaffinch was singing from the top of the hedge

Another Chaffinch was perching on a metal barrier

Common Whitethroat perching in the middle of the hedge

Dunnock perching on bare bramble

Common Whitethroat on the hedge

Meadow Pipits having a wash on marshy ground

Nosy lamb watching me take photographs

Pretty pink Campion flowers at the bottom of the hedge

Beautiful Pansies in a planter at the holiday park

I went back to the mobile home for lunch, then in the afternoon I walked to South Landing

Yellow Poppy amongst the vegetation in the woodland at South Landing

Roe deer in a field near the cliffs at South Landing

Large colourful Puffin sculpture in Flamborough village

Rabbits in a field at the edge of the holiday park in Thornwick Bay

Drinker moth caterpillar on the path

Visit to Upton Country Park, near Poole, Dorset on 13th July 2024

It was a lovely morning, so I walked from Rockley Park to Upton Country Park where I saw some playful young calves

There were lots of lovely flowers in the walled garden

Sea Holly

Dahlias

Pale lilac Poppy with bee

More Dahlias

I walked along to the water's edge and saw a Little Egret and Black-tailed Godwit

There was a large group of Black-tailed Godwits in summer plumage some distance away

Unfortunately it began to rain, so I headed to the shelter of the bird hide.  

An Oystercatcher had been digging in the mud.

A Black-tailed Godwit in winter plumage was also looking for food

It was raining quite heavily and I was stuck in the bird hide for a couple of hours!

Little Egret in the rain

The rain eventually stopped.  Here is a view of the railway line that crosses Holes Bay with the Twin Sail bridge in the distance.  This needs to be repaired and, with the twin sections of the bridge in the air, has been out of use for some time.  There is a Little Egret and a Black-tailed Godwit in the foreground.

I called in at Lychett Bay on my way back to the mobile home park and saw a pair of Mute Swan with two little cygnets, one of which is the white Polish version.  It then started raining again!