Tour de Yorkshire at Bempton Cliffs

Razorbill

Gannet

Scarborough

Sir Bradley Wiggins

Team Sky over the climb

Cliff face at Bempton

Gannets collecting nest material

No room at the inn

Room for two

Touchdown

Bempton Cliffs

Puffin

Spot the Peregrine

Visitor Centre

I've always wanted to visit the Gannet colony at Bempton so it was great to visit on the day before the inaugural Tour de Yorkshire was taking place. The staff on reception were very helpful and quickly dealing with the many visitors arriving to enjoy the sea birds.

From the first view point I quickly picked up big numbers of Fulmar, Kittiwake, Guillemots and Razorbills. The wind was very powerful which made digiscoping very difficult however I did take the SLT camera also to allow me to get some shots of the Gannets.

The Puffins were harder find, whilst a few were on the cliffs most of them were sitting on the sea. This was not the case with the Gannets as there were thousands on the cliffs and in the air allowing some fantastic views. The population is thought to be approx. 12,000 however I didn't fancy counting them. It was great to sit on the cliff tops and watch the birds very closely. Many were landing right in front of me picking grass for nesting material.

Whilst watching the Gannets I picked up a Peregrine sat up high in the cliff face. Can you see him ?

The visitor centre had a nice touristy shop, coffee shop, toilets and live cameras showing the nesting birds. Well worth a visit if you are heading that way.