Gannet
Another bitterly cold day with the persistent north easterly blow doing it's best to challenge. An early shower of sleety rain soon passed giving rise to sunny periods but the wind kept temperatures down. I was certainly grateful that I had my thermals on as I spent eight hours on the cliffs.
While I replenished the bird feeders, a male Blackcap serenaded and showed well but alas, my camera was elsewhere!
I always like to visit some of the viewpoint areas before visitors arrive to get a "feel" for the day. Gannets, Fulmars and Kittiwakes were in good numbers, showing their flying skills into the moderate wind. But where are the Auks? A few Guillemots and Razorbills were on the ledges, but most were in rafts on the sea, dispersing further out during the day. Puffins? Hmmmmmm! They had dispersed well out to sea much to my and many visitors disappointment. In my eight hours, I only spotted six Puffins and they were in flight. This is, however, nature and the birds are seabirds and prefer to spend time at sea rather than on the ledges and it is still early in the breeding season.
Luckily, the Gannets, Kittiwakes and Fulmars saved the day with a mesmerising spectacle of acrobatics that couldn't fail to thrill! Photographs fail to convey these sights, maybe I should learn to use video?
So, what was seen today?
Gannets
Year 4 Gannet
When the Kittiwakes leave the cliffs on mass, it usually means a raptor is about. Today, one of the Peregrines flew through at eye level!
Fulmars
Kittiwakes
As far as I am aware, no eggs have yet been spotted on the ledges. Gannets are usually the first to lay and must be due very soon. Will you be the first to spot some?
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