Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Monday, 3 June 2019

Bempton Cliffs - 2nd June 2019


Puffin

Have you missed me? No, thought not! It was good to be back on patch again after a fantabulous week on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula. Having experienced the Scottish midges, I'll not moan about the flies at Bempton again! It was a very mild day necessitating shorts and polo shirt, a rare event on the cliffs, with annoying, but warm showers from late morning and afternoon!

The birds on the cliffs are very active, mating still, supplementary nest building, sitting on eggs and although not obvious, servicing chicks. We know that the Puffins have chicks with observed food being brought to the nests and seeing, briefly, the Puffling near Grandstand viewpoint, scampering around the nest tunnel.

What was seen today?

Todays Sightings, remarkably included the second reserve Bee-eater in a week! Guess who didn't see either of them? Yes, correct!


Of the passerines, the Common Whitethroat was most obvious with a good number of territories being defended



Kittiwakes are noisily gathering supplemental nesting material, some are on egg and some are still mating


I wish I'd made my nest as big as yours!


Loving the tongue!


A Great skua was spotted below Bartlett Nab viewpoint


Guillemots posed nicely




With some Guillemots leaving their egg open to predation by Herring Gulls and Corvids



Razorbills




The Barn Owl hunted the fields around the visitor centre, being observed to catch a large rodent, probably a rat! It took it back to the nest and was not seen for the rest of the day! Unfortunately, I failed to capture the Owl and its prey.





Did the Puffins show well today? They certainly did, on the cliffs, in flight and on the water!


This Puffin seems to be "trying it on" with two birds!






At the nest tunnel and taking a breather! We have seen the Puffling being fed and moving around but its not made a photographic appearance yet - early days!


Fulmars





Immature Gannets are increasing in numbers around the cliffs

Year 3 Gannet



Year 4 Gannet


Year 3 Gannet


Adult over year two / three Gannet


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