A visit to the north east of England in July is not complete without a visit to one of my favourite RSPB reserves - Bempton Cliffs. Situated in East Riding of Yorkshire, the 400ft high sheer chalk cliffs are home to over 250,000 seabirds during the breeding season and is home to the only mainland gannet colony in the UK. The RSPB provide safe viewing platforms with good views of the cliff nesting sites - a photographer's paradise.

If you are looking for a place to visit for some peace and quiet, Bempton Cliffs is definitely not the place to go. Thousands of Gannets, Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, Puffins, Fulmars and Herring Gulls squabble for the best nesting sites creating a cacophany of squawking disputes. Squashing in cheek by jowl, neighbouring nest sites give rise to constant bickering between the birds. It amazes me how these birds manage to raise a family precariously perched on such a small ledge with a sheer drop into the North Sea below.

You can get equally good shots of the birds using a 70-200mm zoom lens as you with a monster 600mm optic. Some of the viewpoints allow you to be quite close to the birds so even a compact camera can produce some good shots. One of the good benefits of Bempton Cliffs is that the birds are far too busy building their nests and bickering with their neighbours helped by the security of nesting on inaccessible ledges that they perfectly accept the presence of human spectators. Even dog owners can take their dogs for a walk in the reserve without upsetting the birds. My dog, Poppy, always accompanies me here and when I'm busy photographing the birds she is always seeking attention from other visitors.

I couldn't help smile to myself during my visit though. It was quite hot so light trousers and a T shirt was the dress code of the day but there were still a few photographers who thought it necessary to wear full camouflage suits with camouflage lens covers. Ok if you are stalking wildlife in wooded areas but so not required here.

I had a rather worrying end to my visit here in East Riding of Yorkshire. Today I noticed my constant friend and companion, Poppy, had a problem with her left eye. The iris and pupil was all red and although it didn't seem to be giving her any discomfort, something was definitely wrong. An urgent visit to a local vet proved inconclusive and was prescribed some eye drops for a suspected eye infection.

Let's hope that's all it is.