RSPB Bempton Cliffs – Small, Characterful and Completely Captivating

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

There’s something about razorbills at RSPB Bempton Cliffs that always makes me stop and watch a little longer.

They’re not the biggest or the most dramatic seabirds on the cliffs, but they’ve got so much character. Small, compact, with that distinctive black and white colouring and the thick, blunt bill, they almost look like little wind-up toys dotted along the rock edges.

I was photographing at Bempton Cliffs in East Yorkshire recently and found myself completely drawn to one particular razorbill. It was just sat there quietly, perched on the cliff face, totally unfazed by everything going on around it. Then for a brief moment, it turned and looked straight into the lens.

Those are the moments I love most in wildlife photography.

Not because they’re technically perfect, but because they feel like something more. For a second, there’s a connection. You’re not just observing anymore — you’re sharing a moment with a completely wild bird, in its own environment, on its own terms.

You can’t plan it, and you definitely can’t force it.

That’s what makes photographing razorbills at Bempton Cliffs so special. They’re curious, expressive, and surprisingly full of personality. One minute they’re tucked in quietly against the rock, the next they’re bobbing around, interacting with each other, or launching off into the air.

From a photography point of view, they’re brilliant to work with. They tend to stay fairly still compared to some of the other seabirds, which makes them ideal for beginners who are just getting to grips with their camera. At the same time, they offer enough movement and unpredictability to keep things interesting.

But more than anything, they’re just… likeable.

There’s a softness to them, despite the harsh environment they live in. Standing on the edge of those cliffs, with the North Sea crashing below, they somehow still manage to feel calm, almost content.

That contrast is what makes places like RSPB Bempton Cliffs so special. You’ve got this wild, dramatic landscape, full of noise and movement, yet within it are these quiet little moments if you take the time to look.

For me, that’s what photography is really about. Not just capturing what something looks like, but how it feels to be there.

And with razorbills, it always feels like you’ve been let in on something small and special.

If you’d like to join me on my next photography workshop at RSPB Bempton cliffs then check out my group photography workshop page.