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Bempton Cliffs RSPB . The ancestor of the Feral Pigeon , the Rock Dove prefers sea cliffs and rock faces rather than the buildings in cities and towns frequented by Feral Pigeons . Rock Doves are often overlooked , so watch out for them amongst the seabird colonies .
Bempton Cliffs are a great place to see wildlife not just seabirds. The RSPB staff and volunteers are hugely helpful and the visitors follow that example - always someone to chat to.
The northern gannet (Sula bassana) is a seabird and the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. It has the same colours as the Australasian gannet and is similar in appearance. Nesting in colonies as large as 60,000 pairs on both sides of the north Atlantic this bird undertakes seasonal migrations and is a spectacular high-speed diver.
Old names for the northern gannet include solan and solan goose.
Adults are 81–110 cm (32–43 in) long, weigh 2.2–3.6 kg (4.9–7.9 lb) and have a 165–180 cm (65–71 in) wingspan. Before fledging, the immature birds (at about 10 weeks of age) can weigh more than 4 kg (8.8 lb). Each wing measures between 47 and 53 cm (19 and 21 in) when outstretched and the beak measures between 9 and 11 cm (3.5 and 4.3 in) (measured from the head). The two sexes are a similar size.
The plumage of the adults is white with dark wing tips, with colours that range from brown to black. The colour of the head, cheeks and side of the neck depends on the season and the individual; during breeding, the head and neck are brushed in a delicate yellow, although this colouring may not be evident in some individuals. The feathers are waterproof, which allows the birds to spend long periods in water. A water-impermeable secretion produced by a sebaceous gland covers the feathers and the birds spread it across their body using their beak or their head. The eye is light blue, and it is surrounded by bare, black skin, which gives the birds their characteristic facial expression.
Fledglings are brown with white wing tips. They have white spots on their head and on their back and a v-shaped white area underneath. The plumage of one-year-olds can be almost completely brown. In the second year the birds’ appearance changes depending on the different phases of moulting: they can have adult plumage at the front and continue to be brown at the rear. They gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.
Newborn chicks are featherless and are dark blue or black in colour. In the second week of life they are covered in white down. From the fifth week they are covered in dark brown feathers flecked with white.
Their beak is long, strong and conical with a slight downward curve at the end. The front part has a sharp edge. In adults, the beak is blue-grey with dark grey or black edges. It is brownish in immature birds.
The northern gannet’s eyes are large and point forwards, and they have a light blue to light grey iris surrounded by a thin black ring. The four toes of their feet are joined by a membrane that can vary from dark grey to dark brown. There are yellow lines running along the toes that continue along their legs; these lines probably have a role in mating. The rear toe is strong and faces inwards allowing the birds to firmly grip onto vertical cliff faces
This image was taken at Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington in Yorkshire, England.
The northern gannet (Sula bassana) is a seabird and the largest member of the gannet family, Sulidae. It has the same colours as the Australasian gannet and is similar in appearance. Nesting in colonies as large as 60,000 pairs on both sides of the north Atlantic this bird undertakes seasonal migrations and is a spectacular high-speed diver.
Old names for the northern gannet include solan and solan goose.
Adults are 81–110 cm (32–43 in) long, weigh 2.2–3.6 kg (4.9–7.9 lb) and have a 165–180 cm (65–71 in) wingspan. Before fledging, the immature birds (at about 10 weeks of age) can weigh more than 4 kg (8.8 lb). Each wing measures between 47 and 53 cm (19 and 21 in) when outstretched and the beak measures between 9 and 11 cm (3.5 and 4.3 in) (measured from the head). The two sexes are a similar size.
The plumage of the adults is white with dark wing tips, with colours that range from brown to black. The colour of the head, cheeks and side of the neck depends on the season and the individual; during breeding, the head and neck are brushed in a delicate yellow, although this colouring may not be evident in some individuals. The feathers are waterproof, which allows the birds to spend long periods in water. A water-impermeable secretion produced by a sebaceous gland covers the feathers and the birds spread it across their body using their beak or their head. The eye is light blue, and it is surrounded by bare, black skin, which gives the birds their characteristic facial expression.
Fledglings are brown with white wing tips. They have white spots on their head and on their back and a v-shaped white area underneath. The plumage of one-year-olds can be almost completely brown. In the second year the birds’ appearance changes depending on the different phases of moulting: they can have adult plumage at the front and continue to be brown at the rear. They gradually acquire more white in subsequent seasons until they reach maturity after five years.
Newborn chicks are featherless and are dark blue or black in colour. In the second week of life they are covered in white down. From the fifth week they are covered in dark brown feathers flecked with white.
Their beak is long, strong and conical with a slight downward curve at the end. The front part has a sharp edge. In adults, the beak is blue-grey with dark grey or black edges. It is brownish in immature birds.
The northern gannet’s eyes are large and point forwards, and they have a light blue to light grey iris surrounded by a thin black ring. The four toes of their feet are joined by a membrane that can vary from dark grey to dark brown. There are yellow lines running along the toes that continue along their legs; these lines probably have a role in mating. The rear toe is strong and faces inwards allowing the birds to firmly grip onto vertical cliff faces
This image was taken at Bempton Cliffs, near Bridlington in Yorkshire, England.
I really wanted to see the puffins and this weekend is supposed to be the last time you can see them this year, so off we went to Bempton Cliffs.
I managed to snap one truely terrible shot of a puffin (below) before the heavens opened and I got totally and utterly soaked to the skin! I drove home without my trousers on!!
Had a great afternoon at Bempton Cliff's the only thing that spoiled it was the sea fog coming in then going making it had to get photos's
Nice to see him again. Spent most of the day asleep on the cliff then went well out to sea for a wash and brush up. Late afternoon, he did as predicted and flew back in to the cliff and put on an airshow. Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire, UK.
A visit to RSPB Bempton Cliffs reserve south of Scarborough, combined with lunch at Flamborough head, provided plenty of opportunity to observe the nesting Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes at close quarters, whilst Shags were to be seen skimming the coastline just offshore. Bempton is the only mainland Gannet colony and presents quite a spectacle with thousands of birds rearing large grey fluffy chicks on the precipitous chalk cliffs
Key information
Puffins are unmistakable birds with their black back and white underparts, distinctive black head with large pale cheeks and their tall, flattened, brightly-coloured bill. Its comical appearance is heightened by its red and black eye-markings and bright orange legs.
Used as a symbol for books and other items, this clown among seabirds is one of the world's favourite birds. With half of the UK population at only a few sites it is an Red List species.
What they eat:
Fish, especially sandeels.
Measurements:
Length:
26-29cm
Wingspan:
47-63cm
Weight:
320-480g
Read more at www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a...