Birds of Bempton and Flamborough Head

We had wanted to return to Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire since our previous short visit. So a few days in the area seemed a good idea and Bridlington it was! 
We had not had a look at the fishing port of Bridlington, so we were `killing two birds with one stone`, as was often said.

We were booked into the Lobster Pot Inn only about 20 min drive from Bempton Cliffs, and this was our first port of call.

The Bempton Cliffs reserve, on the spectacular Yorkshire coast, is home to one of the UK's top wildlife spectacles. Around half a million seabirds gather here between March and October to raise a family on towering chalk cliffs which overlook the North Sea. Read more at RSPB

The experience is truly awe inspiring at this time of year and we could recommend this as a must if you are in the area. So to a few images of the birds swooping and diving in front of us! 

An adult Gannett

Kittiwake

Juvenile Gannet of between 2 and 3 years old, according to the wing pattern.

Razorbill viewing the scenery or protecting his space more likely!

The iconic Puffin - not so many here as there are of the bigger birds.

Who are you staring at then? - Jackdaw waiting for my sandwich

As we intended to return here the next day and spend more time, we drove a few miles south to another popular and spectacular place - Flamborough Headland.

As well as a great coastline, Flamborough has two lighthouses, one of which is still in use - and a great tea room nearby.

 Flamborough Coastline

The `New` Lighthouse 

A lighthouse was first built on the Flamborough Headland in 1669 but was never lit. The current `new` lighthouse was built in 1806 and acts as a waypoint for deep sea vessels and coastal traffic as well as marking the Flamborough Headland for vessels heading for the ports of Scarborough and Bridlington. 

The old chalk tower is set a short distance back from the sea, the 'new' one is built on the cliff edge. The chalk tower is the only surviving light tower in England. It was designed for a brushwood fire to have been burnt on top, although it is unknown whether or not it was ever lit. The octagonal tower has several windows and a ground floor fireplace so it was possible lived in. I don`t think I would have wanted to be the Keeper. 

It was 130 years before a lighthouse was built on Flamborough. The 'new' lighthouse was built after over 170 ships had been wrecked off the headland in 36 years. In 1925 it was made taller to fit a new 15 foot lens and converted from oil to electricity in 1940. 

It has a range of 24 nautical miles and is one of only 72 lighthouses still in use around Britain's coast today. Now it is fully automated. 

The coast near Flamborough

So, another trip to Bempton, and more bird photos. Just all minding their own business.

I love this bird, the Razorbill.

Kittiwake

Just checking out the burrow after a time at sea.

In love, while the neighbours watch! It was quite touching to see their bonding behaviour.

A study of a Jackdaw - again waiting for lunch.

Juvenile Gannet probably only one year old as he is still mostly black.

Filey Brigg is a long narrow peninsula situated about a mile north of Filey, North Yorkshire.

Its steep cliffs are 15 metres high and consist of a variety of material, from pure sandstone to pure limestone. The landward end of the peninsula of Filey Brigg is known as Carr Naze, whilst the long neck of rock at the seaward end is called the Brigg. 

Close to the cliff edge at Carr Naze (Filey Brigg) at the north-eastern side of Filey and near to the Country Park is the “site of” some faint rectangular earthworks of Filey Roman Signal Station. This was the southernmost signal station of five along the Yorkshire coast, and was in use from roughly 375-410 AD; it was manned by a small garrison of soldiers, with the rocky ‘spittal’ (mooring place) below the cliffs being used as a natural harbour for Roman sailing vessels. Filey’s Roman signal station, along with the four others, would have formed a defense against attacks by sea-borne invaders from across the north sea. The beacon on top of the tower would be lit when invading ships were spotted on the horizon, acting as a warning to the other stations along the coast so that evasive action could be taken. In a recent landslip part of the earthwork (two thirds) at the eastern edge disappeared over the cliff and the rest of the site is in ever constant danger of going the same way.

We walked from the lovely Country Park out along to the end of the Brigg and back to find I had forgotten to pay to park! Oh dear! - that was an expensive (£25) visit.

This way mark grabbed our attention as it is somewhat different. It marks the coastal path - The Cleveland Way.

The Flamborough coast at sunset.

.... and with the tide at a low ebb.

 Index of posts

Bird life on the Farne Islands

A visit to the Farne Islands is always an adventure, and no less for us! We were really looking forward to see the wildlife that so many people enthuse about. Seahouses was the name of the port that we sailed from and the picture below shows the peaceful harbour (thank goodness!) that we sailed from. 

After a brief journey, a welcome talk on the landing, we were set to see what we could see!

Below are some images of the species I manage to photograph.

Starting, of course with the beloved Puffin.

A small auk, the Puffin is familiar as the 'clown' of the coast with its brightly coloured bill, bumpy landings and waddling walk. Puffins live in burrows in the short grass at the top of cliffs. They feed on fish, such as sandeels, which they catch by diving beneath the surface and using their wings to swim. For most of the year, Puffins are out at sea, returning to land to breed. During the breeding season, displays of bill-knocking and ritualised walking will result in mating pairs producing one egg, which is laid at the end of the burrow. The chick remains in the burrow until it is independent and ready to go to sea.

Then moving on to the Guillemot

Is there room for me?

The Guillemot is a medium-sized auk that breeds in tightly packed colonies on perilous ledges, clifftops and rocky outcrops around the coast. These 'seabird cities' often contain other auks, including the similar-looking Razorbill, which prefers to nest singly in ravines or lower down the cliff. In May and June, female Guillemots will lay a single egg; once the chick is three weeks old, it will dramatically plunge into the sea with its father, who will care for it in the water until it is independent. Guillemots eat fish, crustaceans and molluscs, diving from the surface of the water and swimming after their prey.

The Razorbill has a characteristically thick, black bill, with a white stripe across it. It nests with other seabirds, such as Guillemots, but prefers the lower ledges and rocky bottoms of cliffs and deep ravines.

Close up of a Razorbill

Shags are goose-sized dark long-necked birds similar to cormorants but smaller and generally slimmer with a characteristic steep forehead. In the breeding season adults develop a dark glossy green plumage and prominent recurved crest on the front of their head.

In the UK they breed on coastal sites, mainly in the north and west, and more than half of their population is found at fewer than 10 sites, making them an Red List species. Shags usually stay within 100-200 km of their breeding grounds.

Guarding the nest

Kittiwakes are gentle looking, medium-sized gulls with a small yellow bill and a dark eye. They have a grey back with white underneath. Their legs are short and black. In flight the black wing-tips show no white, unlike other gulls, and look as if they have been 'dipped in ink'. The population is declining in some areas, perhaps due to a shortage of sandeels. After breeding birds move out into the Atlantic where they spend the winter.

The most imposing building on the Farne Islands has gone through a varied existence. The tower - known as 'Prior Castell's Tower' after the Durham churchman who commissioned the construction - began its life as any other border Pele Tower did, being used to deter and defend. However as time passed its uses changed, right up until the present where it is called home by the National Trust rangers who manage and care for these islands.

Thomas Castell was Prior of Durham Cathedral from 1494 to 1519 and it was towards the beginning of his tenure that the tower on Inner Farne was first built. The tower initially served as upgraded accomodation for the monks as well as some protection from border raids.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1536 the building accomodated a small garrison which in 1565 was four men. The Captain of Holy Island and the Farnes was Sir William Reed, and in February of 1565 he complained to Queen Elizabeth about the state of the tower, as it was ruinous. By May 1566 repairs had been done, probably due to the strategic importance of the tower on Inner Farne. Reed commented in 1565 that the tower, 'if taken... would be an evil neighbour for Berwick and the Holy island'. 

By 1637 the tower appeared to be in ruins and of no further military use. The location of the ruin however made it the ideal foundation for a beacon light. This may have been the case in the 1670s when permission was granted for a beacon light to be established. A century later Captain John Blackett was given permission to establish a lighthouse on the top of the tower. In 1809 the light on the tower was supplanted by the white round tower lighthouse seen today on Inner Farne.

At the dissolution of the monasteries the islands had passed into the ownership of the Dean and Chapter of Durham and they were able to lease them to suitable tenants. Archdeacon Charles Thorp was the tenant in the 1840s and he undertook a major restoration of the tower in order so he could stay there. The tower continued to be used intermittently into the twentieth century until the National Trust acquisition of the Farne Islands in 1925. 

Today the tower is home to National Trust rangers who live there for nine months of the year.

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