Auks at Bempton Cliffs

23rd May 2023

After a great time with the Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Gannets now let us have a look at the auks, the Guillemots, Razorbills and Puffins.

For some reason the Guillemots always look black on the back when perched on their ledges, but brown when flying and on the sea. Possibly a trick of the light.

Guillemots tend to nest lower down the cliff so are usually seen flying past rather than flying in to the nest.

Razorbills are also present in their thousands on the ledges and tend to nest a little higher up the cliff than the Guuillemots which makes it easier to get some close-ups. There are clearly very affectionate to their partners.

Also as they nest higher up it is possible to get some photos flying into the nest rather than just flying by.

But as always the stars of the show were the Puffins. We were a bit earlier this year so the females were sitting on eggs and the males out to sea fishing so there were far fewer sightings than usual. I was scanning the cliffs between shots to no avail but then Jenny picked up a red bill with her naked eye. What a good spot!!!

From one of the viewpoints a small group of five birds, presumably males, were resting on a ledge..............

.....................and the only other bird seen was one flying past.

Well, Bempton Cliffs never disappoints and I managed to take 3200 photos in just four hours which is testament to just how busy it is, birds that is not people. Already looking forward to next year.