A Fantastic Surprise At RSPB Bempton Cliffs - 10th July 2016!

Puffin with Puffling!

Thanks to a very vigilant visitor at RSPB Bempton Cliffs today, I witnessed something that I have never observed before - a PUFFLING! Yes, a Puffling! Many visitors often say they have seen a "baby" Puffin, but this is usually a misunderstanding on the adult birds perceived size! Diplomatically, I usually say that Pufflings , when fledging, rarely appear on the ledges but fly out during the dark hours! Today, however was a fantastic sighting and one myself and many visitors will treasure! After a short appearance, the Puffling re-entered the nest. I'm sure it will bid us farewell very soon!

Puffin with Puffling!

The weather forecast for today was not good - RAIN and more RAIN! Arriving at the visitor centre to set up, it was "lashing" down and did not bode well for anyone on the viewpoints! However, at 0930 the rain began to ease and stopped, giving way to sunshine and clouds which remained throughout the rest of the day! BBC weather, you are sacked! I spent today on the Grandstand viewpoint, but had to visit Bartlett Nab to check on "my" Gannet and chick, which is now c6wks old!

Gannet with chick

A large number of Razorbills and Guillemots have now left the cliffs with their jumplings, but the Kittiwakes still have young (of various ages) in the nests.

Kittiwakes

Puffins

Wake up and smell the coffee flowers!

Guillemot ("I see no ships....!") Well you wont when looking away from the sea!

A common but often overlooked Jackdaw!

"Eye" Jack?

The Yorkshire Belle on a RSPB Cruise

With a supporting cast of RSPB volunteers!

Ahoy Leo!

Ahoy Chrys!

And the joke is???