Showing posts with label reed bunting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reed bunting. Show all posts

Saturday, 18 July 2026

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!

 

Saturday, 27 June 2026

Birds and flowers seen on windy clifftop walk from Thornwick Bay to Bempton Cliffs - 6th June 2026

Pretty mauve wild Orchid growing on the cliffs

Little valley filled with Red Campion and Cow Parsley or Hemlock flowers

Cow Parsley or Hemlock?

Sheep with bare backside!

Two Atlantic Puffins and lots of Guillemots on the cliff near Thornwick Bay behind a curtain of pretty Red Campion flowers

Closer view of Atlantic Puffins on the cliffs











Puffins and Razorbills


One Puffin on the cliff and one Puffin gone!





Gathering nesting material


He's behind you!

Time to go home!

More Atlantic Puffins and a Razorbill

Further along the cliffs and before reaching the RSPB reserve, there were many Northern Gannets slowly riding the wind and landing on the edge of the cliff in order to gather nesting material









A Puffin on the cliffs just outside the RSPB reserve

Looking back towards Thornwick Bay

Meadow Pipit on Cow Parsley

Puffins with something to say at Bempton Cliffs!


Atlantic Puffin surrounded by Razorbills

Pair of Puffins near their burrow in the cliff face

Pair of loved-up Northern Gannets

Pair of noisy Fulmars

Noisy Razorbill

Pretty Red Campion flowers in varying shades of pink


Young and adult Gannets having an argument

Adult Gannet admiring the daisy-like flowers

Closer look at the young Gannet

More arguing Gannets!


Young Moorhen near the small pond by the woodland walk at Bempton Cliffs

Male Reed Bunting on top of a hedge along the woodland walk

Female Reed Bunting on a grassy path

Male Linnet perching on top of a twig

Kittiwakes gathering nesting material from the side of the cliff


Fulmar with something to say

Pair of Razorbills on the vertical side of the cliff

Puffin with head poking out of its burrow in the side of the cliff

Good to see that the research volunteers at RSPB Bempton Cliffs are harnessed while working!

Painted Lady butterfly on large Cow Parsley or Hemlock flower

Pair of Razorbills amongst a plethora of daisy-like flowers

Juvenile Gannet enjoying the windy day

Meadow Pipit posing on a post as I made my way back along the cliff from Bempton

and on a Cow Parsley flower

Plenty of wild flowers on the cliff from Bempton to Thornwick Bay

Puffin on the side of the cliff on the way to Thornwick

Meadow Pipit with food for the nestlings posed on the top of a post

Another Puffin on the cliff near Thornwick Bay


Back at the flower-filled valley

Hawthorn at the edge of the path near Thornwick Bay holiday park

Male Linnet on the hedge at the edge of the holiday park

Great, but very long and tiring, walk along the cliffs from Thornwick to Bempton and back - with lots of wildlife and flowers.  I needed to take it easy over the next few days in order to recover!