British Photography Awards BirdLife Shortlist 2025 – Gannet Get Together

I have wanted to visit RSPB Bempton Cliffs for so many years, even before making the switch to wildlife photography.

I’m not quite sure when I officially became a ‘birder’ – but I feel like it’s always been lurking in the background and now it’s become that bit louder and harder to ignore! So, dropping subtle hints and then some not so subtle hints, my partner very loving suggested we take a trip up to Yorkshire to see the puffins!

It was mid-july and so I knew that we might only see a few of the colourful clowns of the sea but I was also really excited at the thought of seeing thousands of Gannets!

We arrived after sunset and chilled at our accommodation after a very long journey. The next morning we woke up at 0500, left soon after and arrived by 0530 – to fog!! The sky was quite dull, mist rolling across the fields and ‘sea fret’ from the ocean. Not the sunrise I had envisioned at all!

My first time here and I couldn’t see anything!! I wondered if this had been a very costly mistake!!

Walking along the top of the cliffs, I was being blown around – I didn’t bring a tripod with me because I prefer hand holding as it gives me more freedom to move quickly, plus carrying extra kit around is never fun!

Two days is all I had, less than that really, as I had to factor in rest time or I would definitely have an M.E crash (more on this in a future blog!)

The first morning was super challenging but all of a sudden as the sun started to rise, it almost ‘burnt’ through the sea fret and created an atmospheric haze around the Gannets. And as it was so windy, the Gannets were coming really close to the cliffs, hovering on the updraft, before settling down to gather patches of grass and material to take back to their nests. The not-so-perfect conditions were actually turning out to be pure photographic gold!!

I didn’t take many iPhone photos as I was so busy capturing what I could whilst the weather was being chaotic but beautiful! I have some video from this trip that I will put together soon and share on YouTube. I’ve yet to get started over there but if you can help get my channel started and give me a ‘subscribe’ – I would appreciate it very much! You can find me on YouTube here!

It’s fascinating to watch Gannets collecting material to take to their nests. Some get really into it, putting all of their body weight into pulling it out of the ground!

The detail on Gannets is something I just can’t get over. The subtle colour change and those striking blue eyes! Wowza! But talking of eyes……

Unfortunately Avian flu has had a huge impact on Gannet populations.

This Gannet has a very noticeable black eye – a symbol that it has survived bird flu. Scientists are busy studying why this occurs but by being able to see which birds have overcome, they can collect more data and research about their genetic make up. This can then determine why they were able to fight it, when others haven’t been so lucky. If you see a blue dot on any of the Gannets, they are not a new species or had a funky hairstyle, they are the ones being monitored!

The next day was supposed to be sunshine but it ended up being a little bit mean to me! I checked on Windy app for clouds, fog, rain – you name it and it said that there was going to be a ‘break’ for a few hours. So we quickly got in the car and got to Bempton, this was probably around 6pm… and all we saw were threatening clouds. My partner asked if I was sure I wanted to stay as it looked like it was about to pour down but I assured him that Windy app is never wrong and that it would blow over and then I would get the best light.

Well……

How wrong could I have been!?!??!

I hunkered down on one of the viewpoints in a tiny little section that wasn’t getting as battered as the rest of Bempton… but it was relentless. I was so sure it was going to blow over but after waiting for about 30 minutes, in what only could be described as hard vertical painful rain, my partner ran back to come and get me home! On the walk back, we were getting drenched… I of course covered my 600 lens in my only waterproof item of clothing and sacrificed myself to the water Gods! Our shoes were squelching, trousers were sticking to our skin, everything was soaked through.

My Shimoda bag held up well though (I totally forgot to put the rain cover on it too!!) – everything inside was nice and dry!

So an unsuccessful evening – but a funny one! We had to leave early the next day as it was the last chance for sunrise at Bempton and then to journey back home. My trainers were not dry so I had to wear my massive boots and guess what, that morning was glorious and I ended up getting far too hot and bothered!! Worth it though!

I love that there is so much drama in this image! One Gannet just about to land, two of them clearly not happy about his presence, one too busy looking off in the distance and a juvenile in front wondering what the hell is going on!! And that light!!! (heart emoji!)

This image has been shortlisted in the BirdLife Category for the British Photography Awards 2025 – which I am super proud of! My first trip to RSPB Bempton was magical and memorable for all the best reasons! And I cannot wait to venture back for more!

If you would like to show your love and support, you can vote for these feathered friends HERE in the People’s Choice Award, which closes at Midnight on Monday 20th October. Winners will be announced at the British Photography Awards Gala in London on 3rd November 2025.