I went to see Dangerous Cliff and then on to the Waterworks!

A round trip of a day with no especial agenda. I was not expecting any year ticks other than perhaps a garden warbler at Tophill Low. First call, however, at Bempton Cliffs RSPB for a photographic extravaganza. Not that I realised how much the wind conditions that day would make for an unforgettable experience.

Driving down into Bempton village I braked sharply to a stop when I saw some large birds in a field. A flock of six emus!! Not a tick but nice to see. Most were normal grey colour but one, as you can see, was pure white.

Emu Emu

Onwards. When I got to the reserve I wondered what was going on. A national event? A celebrity guillemot roast? No. Nothing special at all . Just a nice day on the coast. I just, only just, found a space in the overflow car park!

In the dell a dunnock was singing happily and a goldfinch posed for me. Common fare but still nice birds. Dunnock, when closely examined, are very subtly coloured and, I gather, lead very interesting sex lives...

Dunnock Goldfinch

The warden's pied flycatcher remained hidden from view. Down to the dangerous cliffs then. On the way across the field a group of jackdaws were finding something to eat among the red campion flowers:

Jackdaw

Atop the cliffs the wind was blowing in such a way that birds were virtually hanging in the air. Gannets were coming in to land like vertical take off planes [confusingly called harriers!] and some gulls were struggling to land at all faced with the prospect of being dashed against the cliff-face by the wind. Dangerous cliff signs were needed for the poor birds. But it did provide some photographic opportunities and I'm certainly a photopportunitist!

A sea fret was slowly burning off. I had wanted to try to get some bifs [birds in flight photos - bifs to keen amateurs apparently] of auks. This guillemot in the mist pleased me if no-one else!

Guillemot As the mist cleared a little more this immature gannet looked really well.

Gannet Quite quickly the sea fret simply faded away. I watched a herring gull try to land next to its mate. In the end it gave up and flew off. I presume it tried again later. I moved on slowly. Watching for the unexpected. A few shots - I took many great shots - of gannets manoeuvring to land. Gannets are too easy! And the light was nice too...

Gannet Gannet Gannet Razorbills and guillemots were my next focus of attention. I found this egg on the path. Well, if the truth were told it was only half an egg. Stolen by a gull? I turned it so it looks like a whole egg. Research suggest razorbill but I'm not certain.

Razorbill egg The next two pictures are of razorbills in flight at close range. Many were not pin sharp but I liked these.

Razorbill Razorbill The guillemots seemed more static and stayed on the cliff.

Guillemot Kittiwakes were raucous and again were struggling in the wind quite close to. Funnily enough, the photographs have a calming effect and fail to convey the desperate efforts birds were making to land.

Kittiwake

Kittiwake

I had hoped to find some puffins but they were deep in the shade. Eventually at the northern viewpoint I found a few that were reasonably close and well lit. The pictures say it all, I think.

Puffin Puffin

'Goodnight.'

'Goodnight darling. Sleep well.'

'You too. Hope the razorbills don't bite!'

Puffin Finally as far as our little brothers are concerned, I love this bif. 'Me and my shadow'

Puffin

Puffins' latin name is fratercula, meaning little brother. Ian Hebden told me that years ago.

My final picture from Bempton Cliffs is of a catepillar. Not positively identified. It might be a Drinker Euthrix potatoria. This is apparently common and found in coarse grasses. Sounds right to me.

Drinker moth caterpillar

Part 2: Tophill Low

TL has a lot to offer. Different habitats and the new Hempholme scrape which I went to see. It was quiet and looks rather raw but as it settles in and vegetation returns it will do well. I think we'll get some goodies there. On the walk back past the marsh frog pools I saw my garden warbler out in the open. Not quick enough with the camera however. Bins first.

Whitethroat The whitethroat wanted to be seen. I headed for the North Marsh hide - it's good for intimate views of reed warbler. Although getting the bird in full without a piece of reed stem spoiling the view can be tricky:

Reed Warbler A great spotted wood pecker entertained me as I sat near the feeding station in the middle of the wood listening to the blackcaps. He wanted to feed but I think he was conscious of my presence as he edged nearer...

Great-spotted Woodpecker Great-spotted Woodpecker Great-spotted Woodpecker

That's all for this trip. I hope you liked some of the pictures. Next trip is to Saltholme and back to Bempton...