Camera : OM Systems OM1
Lens : 300mm F4 Pro
Visit Date : 25th May 2023
Whilst the UK has many nature reserves across the country there is no doubt that one of the best and possibly the most popular is the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliffs on the Yorkshire coast.
Situated between Flamborough and Filey this particular reserve has everything for the avid birdwatcher, walker and photographer.
The reserve is approximately 125 miles from my home in Derby and it usually takes about two hours and forty minutes to get there depending on the time of day. It’s easy enough to find although it always seems the last few miles are slow going. Once in the village of Bempton it’s a case of finding your way to Cliff Lane and following it to the reserve car park. The lane is narrow in parts so care should be taken when driving.
The reserve has a large car park with 74 spaces and 11 Blue Badge spaces adjacent to the main RSPB visitor centre which has a café, RSPB shop and toilet facilities. Outside the centre, by the entrance, there is usually an RSPB stand extolling the virtues of RSPB membership. This is a good place to talk all things birding and find out about the latest sightings on the reserve.
As you enter the visitor centre you pass the pay desk where you can pay the admission fee or show your RSPB membership card. Then you can pass through the rear of the centre into the reserve.
The reserve itself is vast with lots to see and do. To get the best from your visit it’s well worth taking a look at the Bempton Cliffs website either on the RSPB page at :
https://www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/bempton-cliffs
Or on the Yorkshire Wildlife page at :
https://yorkshireswildlife.co.uk/rspb-bempton-cliffs-.html
Both pages have a wealth of information plus site maps such as the one below taken from the Yorkshire Wildlife page to help you enjoy your visit.
The reserve comprises many paths and ponds plus six large viewing platforms looking out over some of the most impressive cliff landscapes in the British Isles.
As you take one of the many paths down to the platforms you will already notice that you’re surrounded by small birds such as White Throat, Tree Sparrows, Meadow Pipits, etc.
When you reach the cliff line you can begin to see the many viewing platforms that can be used to view the wildlife. It’s these platforms that have made RSPB Bempton Cliffs so internationally famous
Approaching whichever platform you’ve decided to visit first you will notice a massive increase in the amount and type of birds visible, and indeed how close they are.
Bempton is famous for its massive Gannet colonies. These beautiful birds gather in their thousands on the cliffs and in the air. It’s like nature’s very own air display and one can only stand and marvel as they fly in from the sea and swoop past your vantage point. At times you’re actually on eye level with the Gannets. You can look right into their fabulous piercing blue eyes and golden heads. It’s a nature photographer’s dream as they hover on the breeze directly in front of you so you can get that, all important, in-flight shots.
Bempton is also famous for Puffins. These beautiful and comical birds start arriving in April and demonstrate an incredible flying agility as they leap from the cliff faces, head out to see and then return to their start point at incredible speed landing back on the cliff face.
Take some time to explore all of the platforms as each platform gives a completely different view of the coastline and potentially a different selection of birds to observe, The platforms are a good distance from each other so do be prepared to do a considerable amount of walking during your visit. However, it’s not essential to visit all of the platforms and a great day can be had simply by selecting a platform and sticking with it for a couple of hours.
The beauty of Bempton is that you never quite know what’s going to turn up. Checking in with the staff and volunteers at the visitor centre or around the reserve to find out what’s been seen during the day is time well spent. The staff are incredibly knowledgeable not only about the reserve but also about the subject of ornithology. They can soon point you in the direction of the latest arrivals. As an example, in recent years, the arrival of an albatross at the reserve caused mass excitement within the birding community and Bempton became the centre of attraction for those wishing to view this impressive bird. Sadly I never saw it
Whenever I visit Bempton I usually walk down to the cliff edge and head to the left most platform (Jubilee Corner). I stay there for a while observing and photographing as much as I can before proceeding to the next platform. As I proceed along the cliff path I eventually get to Grandstand and become perpendicular to the visitor centre so I head there for a comfort stop and a bite to eat before heading back and continuing to the next platform.
At the end of my visit I head to the field adjacent to the car park to see if there are any interesting thing to view such as rabbits, hares, owls or deer before finally jumping in the car to head for home
Conclusion
Bempton is very much an RSPB flagship reserve and deservedly so. There is so much to see and do there and it never disappoints. It really seems to have everything for the wildlife enthusiast. It’s paths are well maintained as are the viewing platforms. There are information boards at every platform and also at the visitor centre which, in itself, is excellent. You really need a full day to get the best out of your visit but be prepared to want to visit again as soon as you leave. As with all UK reserves, the weather plays a big part and it’s worth keeping that in mind. The reserve looks directly out to sea and the winds and the rain can be strong so suitable clothing is an absolute must.