Staple Newk Gannets
The ledges at Bempton Cliffs are still full of action with four of the eight main breeding species still present - Gannet, Fulmar, Herring Gull and Shag. Other passerine migrants are beginning to appear in the cliff top vegetation as a stopover on their long journey south.
So what was about today? Todays Sightings:
Gannets are not only the largest UK seabird with 2m(6ft) wingspan but at the moment are the most numerous and obvious birds on the cliff ledges. Their young (Gugas) are in various stages of their development, many have fledged and can be seen on the sea and in flight, others are ready to fledge with constant wing stretching and flapping, but some late birds are still with white downy feathers just showing a little black! Gugas usually fledge at thirteen weeks of age.
Gannet Portraits
Year 4 Gannet
Year 4 Gannet
Gannets with Gugas
The "Book Ends"
It's a hard life being a Gannet!
Times are hard with only a feather to eat!
"Mum, do I have to go down there?"
"And don't forget to bring back some fish"!
Prior to fledging, Gugas are larger and heavier than their parents!
Part of Staple Newk
"I really wanted to be a Wallcreeper"! This Guga wasn't quite ready to fledge but dislodged itself from it's ledge. Luckily, it managed to scramble back to mum, but not before being attacked by other Gannets!
Some of the Gugas still have their white, downy feathers
A recently fledged Guga. Now a year 1 bird.
One flew over the cuckoo nest Gannet colony!
Many ghost stories abound the Yorkshire coast but none as sinister as the "headless Gannet" at Staple Newk!
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