Some photos from the Wilmslow Guild coach trip to Bempton on 12 May 2013. The official report can be read in the Trip Reports section.
The cliffs at bempton, looking south.
Part of the Gannet colony. They are dispersed all over the cliff face.
The Gannets fly along quite close to the cliff top.
This view from further above shows the full spread of the Gannet's wings.
Some of the gannets were sitting on eggs.
They don't have much room on the cliff face.
A close-up showing the fine markings around the face. They appear to have blue eyes.
Guillemots are the most common birds on the Bempton cliffs and occur in groups on the ledges along the cliff face.
On the bigger ledges they huddle together in large groups.
A nice pair of Guillemots.
Not always pleasant out there on the cliff.
A "bridled" Guillemot showing its white monocle very nicely. This is still the same species, only a colour morph. The field guides tell us that the proportion of "bridled" Guillemots in the population increases the further you go north. There were only a few here.
Another "bridled" Guillemot.
Rock Doves (or feral pigeons?). They mostly appear to have the double black wing bars of Rock Doves and the one flying on the left appears to have a white rump, also diagnostic of Rock Doves. However many also look more like feral pigeons so I suspect it is a mixed flock.
Kittiwakes nest in large colonies along the cliff face.
Kittiwakes build a cup nest out of mud and grass. I couldn't see eggs in any of the nests yet.
A Herring Gull. They nest on the cliffs here as well.
Puffins are the least common of the auks found at Bempton. Usually found near the grassy slopes at the top.
Everyone loves a Puffin.
Unlike Guillemots, Razorbills are usually found only in ones or twos on the ledges. They have a broad bill with white strips.
Maybe a pair not yet breeding.
The inside of the Razorbill's mouth is a wonderful yellow colour.
There were Tree Sparrows in the bushes around the Visitor Centre. This male is showing his brown cap very well.
Look at the fine detail of the feathers, with subtle shades of brown, black and white. Who said that sparrows are just little brown jobs?
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