Gannet
Typical bank holiday weather greeted us on the cliffs this morning - starting with a few brief wintry showers, overcast and a bitter north westerly blow. Winter thermals were brought out again, is it really May? The reserve was very busy again with most visitors seeing their sought after birds including Puffins that were playing hard to see again! Today was my first wildlife walk around the reserve and it was pleasing to give an insight to five visitors and to get them on to all of the reserves breeding seabirds.
Todays sightings
Common Whitethroats are increasing in number around the nature trail
A common and often overlooked bird is the ubiquitous Blackbird with its beautiful spring is here song!
This one is about to take a Drinker Moth (I think?) caterpillar
You cannot fail to miss the Jackdaws, especially when food appears! So cheeky and full of life!
Did the Puffins shows? Yes, but you had to be in the right place at the right time! Most of them are either in their tunnels incubating an egg, on the sea or in flight.
The strong north west wind, apart from cooling us all, did provide an opportunity to see the birds in flight, hovering and performing seabird acrobatics. I just wish I could capture these actions on my camera!
Kittiwake
Razorbill
The correct name for our Kittiwakes is Black Legged Kittiwake. Interestingly some are setting a new trend!
At this time of year, when eggs begin appearing, some predation occurs. Near Bartlett Nab is an area where Herring Gulls eat the contents of their "booty", leaving the shells for all to see. However, it is not just Herring Gulls. This Carrion Crow was caught in the act!
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