Gear: Sony A7iv and Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN OS

A Perfect Day at Bempton Cliffs: Chasing Seabirds with the Sony A7IV and Sigma 500mm

There are few places in the UK that match the raw, coastal drama of RSPB Bempton Cliffs, and even fewer that put you quite so close to some of Britain’s most iconic seabirds. On a glorious sunny day, I packed up my gear — the Sony A7IV paired with the impressively sharp Sigma 500mm f5.6 DG DN OS — and headed out with one clear goal in mind: to capture the character and charm of the puffins, gannets, and other cliff-dwelling birds that make this East Yorkshire spot so special.

As soon as I arrived, the sound of the cliffs hit me first — a constant, echoing wall of calls and cries from thousands of birds wheeling overhead or perched on the narrow ledges. The bright weather couldn't have been more perfect; clear skies meant great light all day, and the sea shimmered below like something out of a painting. It felt like everything was lined up to make this a dream shoot.

The puffins were, of course, the stars of the show. With their cartoonish beaks and clumsy charm, they made excellent subjects, especially as they hopped around the grassy cliff edges. The Sigma 500mm let me get up close without disturbing them, and its optical stabilization paired with the A7IV’s autofocus made capturing sharp, detailed shots surprisingly easy — even as these little birds darted back and forth from the sea.

Gannets, too, put on an incredible display. Towering white birds with piercing eyes and those dramatic sky-dives into the sea, they offered some of the most dynamic shots of the day. The Sigma's reach really shone here — even birds out at sea were fair game. Between that and the A7IV's fast burst shooting, I came home with a card full of keepers and a strong sense of satisfaction.

While I was scanning the cliffs through my viewfinder, I noticed someone from the RSPB team operating a drone just beyond the edge of the fencing. It turns out they were conducting aerial surveys of the bird colonies and cliff habitats — a fascinating blend of conservation and technology. The drone allowed them to monitor nesting sites and assess erosion risks without disturbing the birds, especially in those hard-to-reach ledges that even the most dedicated climbers wouldn’t dare approach. It was impressive to see such high-tech tools being used to support the protection of these remarkable seabird populations — a reminder that behind every great wildlife encounter is a team quietly working to ensure these places stay wild and thriving.

Whether you’re a birder, a photographer, or just someone who enjoys the wild British coastline, Bempton Cliffs is a must-visit. For me, it was a near-perfect day: great light, great gear, and some of the most charismatic wildlife our shores have to offer. I’ll definitely be back — and next time, I might even bring a wider lens for those dramatic cliffscapes too.

Take a look at the gallery below !