BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS At Bempton Cliffs RSPB, Yorkshire!!! A Spectacular Day!

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

 

 

Whilst watching the Glossy Ibis at Snettisham last night, I bumped into two Norfolk birders, who stated that the Black-browed Albatross was the best bird they had ever seen. This tipped me over the edge! I was thinking of going anyway! Plus I LOVE Bempton Cliffs – I've only have been once before and that was for the Crag Martin on 13th April 2014.

Left my house at 3.15am and 135 miles later, I arrived at Bempton Cliffs RSPB car park at 6.25am. It was a foggy journey for the latter half and to my huge disappointment was also very foggy at Bempton. I remained positive and hoped it would clear at some point?! There were quite a few cars in the car park, but still lots of spaces left. Got my gear together and walked past the visitor centre and along the track to the cliffs and then walked to the "New Roll-Up" viewing point, where they were around 20+ people. It was very cold, so I was glad I had several layers on.

 Foggy first thing at New Roll-Up View Point – Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

The Black-browed Albatross was initially sitting on the cliff just above and to the right of the arch and it was from here that I took some phone-scoped videos (below) – it was a long way off!

 

I got very very lucky indeed. Birders had arrived well before sunrise and the fog was so dense, they couldn't even see the towering cliffs, never mind the Black-browed Albatross. Approximately 15 minutes after I turned up, the Black-browed Albatross put in its first appearance at 7.03am, in foggy viewing conditions! My first Albatross!!! What a bird!!! Although, my first view in the fog wasn't exactly stunning obviously! I spent a long time here, doing phone-scoped videos, which in the northerly winds, were not too bad at all. I had no hope of getting any SLR shots, as the Black-browed Albatross was way off in the distance on the edge of a cliff with tons of Gannets, just to the right of a large arch – it was a dot in the binoculars, so anyone who hasn't been yet, you need a scope! Met lots of lovely people today and also caught up with John J. who I have not seen for ages!

Walking towards Staple Newk View Point at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

View from Staple Newk, Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS

 

The fog did eventually lift, but took its time to clear completely! Bumped into and met Kevin G. here, who told me I would get some good pictures of the Black-browed Albatross flying round from the next viewpoint "Staple Newk", so off I went. Only another 5 minutes walk, if that. The magnificent scene of thousands of Gannets and seabirds swirling below me was mesmerising, I could have stayed here all day and nearly did! It wasn't long before the Black-browed Albatross appeared from behind a cliff and gave us all spectacular views, as it glided past like something from a fairytale! An RSPB warden (or volunteer) explained, that because of the wind direction, the albatross was not coming as close to the cliff edge as it has done on other days, but even so, I was happy and took a ton of pictures!!! A monster bird – I was so glad I came to see this! Other birds seen: tons of Gannets with young on the rocks, Razorbills, Guillemots, Puffins whizzing about, but were a job to photograph! Kittiwakes plus juvs, Fulmars, Jackdaws, a Kestrel sitting on the cliff face and tons of beautiful flowers and grasses along the cliff tops. The Black-browed Albatross then disappeared and was spotted sitting distantly on the sea. Lots more people arriving now, some birders, some not, but all very excited to see this mega bird! A good time for lunch!

 

 

Razor Bill at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Fishing boat off Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Jackdaw at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Kittiwake at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Kittiwake juv. at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Puffin at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Kestral on the cliffs at New Roll-Up View Point, Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Tree Sparrow near the visitor centre at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Flowers at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

Gannets at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Headed back to my car for a very late 2.30pm breakfast and lunch break. Sat in my deckchair with the new picnic table and watched Tree Sparrows in the scrub around the car park. Shut my eyes for a short while and then returned to the "New Roll-Up" viewing point at around 4pm. The Black-browed Albatross was sitting on the edge of the cliff face in the exact spot (more or less) as I had seen it this morning – it had a couple of quick distant fly rounds and then remained stuck to the cliff. I waited and waited, in hope it would fly in close to where we were all standing, but it didn't. I felt like I was in a spell – it was very difficult to leave, but pulled myself away eventually and walked back to the car park. Photographed some Tree Sparrows along the cliff top on the way back. The entire day had lifted my spirits so much.

 

Tree Sparrows mating at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

Tree Sparrow at Bempton Cliffs RSPB

 

 

Left Bempton Cliffs at 5.50pm. It was a glorious drive back in wonderful sunshine and the Lincolnshire Wolds look stunning – there seems to be far more trees up north than there are in Norfolk! Arrived back home in King's Lynn at 9.00pm on the dot. I was so tired, I could hardly get out of the car!

UPDATE: Sunday 18 July

I took over 1,200 pictures and it has taken a long time to select, edit and upload Youtube videos, but finally all done! I may add a few more Gannet pictures and some more Black-browed Albatross pictures!