Porpoises
With all of the inclement weather that has bugged us this year, today was certainly a WOW day! We were greeted on the cliffs with wall to wall sunshine, blue sky, blue sea and soaring temperatures, with only a light breeze later in the day. You could be mistaken for thinking that you were in the Med! Indeed, early in the day, an exotic Bee-eater was reported in nearby Flamborough Head! Here at Bempton, all of the breeding birds were to be seen on the cliffs, in flight and on the sea. The only draw back were the Puffins that decided to remain elusive on the cliffs but showed well in flight and on the sea. However, with patience, most visitors obtained satisfying views.
So what was seen today?
With blue skies and blue, clear seas, Seals and Porpoises showed very well!
Porpoises normally only show part of their back and dorsal fin, so these were tremendous!
Not to be out done, Grey Seals also managed to get in on the act including one taking a snack!
A great deal of interest was taken of a Great Skua (Bonxie) showing well off Bartlett Nab viewpoint!
Eggs are beginning to be seen on the ledges, notably Gannets and Guillemots. Hopefully this good weather will allow catch up from the breeding delay caused by March's bad weather.
Gannets
Tidying the nest
The egg
Collecting nest material
The cliffs are alive the sight, sound and smell of c500,000 seabirds! However, the nature trail, feeding station, dell and grasslands are also alive with breeding birds and can provide quiet relief from the clifftops. Skylark, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Common Whitethroat, Lesser Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Corn Bunting et al, are regularly seen.
Linnet
Common Whitethroat
Sedge Warbler
What will you discover?
Hi Kevin,
ReplyDeleteYou get more in a day than I get in a month.
Mike.
Right time, right place, Mike!
ReplyDelete