Bempton Cliffs - 22nd July 2018

Bringing in Sand Eels!

Summer continues on the cliffs with blue skies, temperatures of c22 degrees and a light south easterly breeze. It is very noticeable that many of the Guillemots and Razorbills have now departed the cliff ledges, their duty done and a "jumpling" raised before it takes the plunge into the sea! Gannets, Fulmars, Kittiwakes, Herring Gulls and Puffins can still be seen, but the Puffins will be departing very soon, usually by the end of this month.

So, what was about today?

The first question raised by visitors on the viewpoints is usually "Where are the Puffins?". At the moment, they are still here and visible on the cliffs, in flight and on the sea. Making contact with the knowledgeable viewpoint volunteers should enable visitors to go home happy, but nature is nature and there can be no guarantees! Remember that these beautiful birds will be leaving the cliffs at the end of this month.

If you are very lucky, you may see Puffins bringing in Sand Eels for hungry "Pufflings" still in their rock tunnels!

And maybe a Puffin "circus" - a name given to a group of Puffins!

And others

Preening

"Now where did I put my...……..?"

It was good to see that some of the Kittiwake "Tarrocks" have fledged

Close observation of the ledges can still yield a few Guillemot parents with their "jumplings" but many have already headed back out to sea!

Young Gannets (Gugas) are getting very large now, some are beginning to show a hint of dark feathers merging from their white down.

Interestingly, a year 1 Gannet has been seen around the colony! Year 1 & 2 Gannets usually spend their time around the west coat of Africa and/or the Bay of Biscay! Unmissable when it flies through the colony of predominantly white Gannets!

Sadly, some birds fail in their breeding attempts. This Gannet is staying loyal to its probably infertile egg. By now it should be looking after a growing Guga! Maybe next year will be better?

On the nature trail and cliff tops, Linnets are showing in good numbers

And finally, I couldn't resist this juv Dunnock!