Fulmar
A pleasant overcast day, very mild but humid with a threat of rain and thunderstorms later. Thankfully this held off until late evening. A very busy day on the cliffs with several coach groups combining with the usual visitors, indeed my wildlife walk was well populated with seven guests!
All of the breeding seabirds were on view today, much to the delight of the visitors. It is becoming easier to spot the chicks on the ledges with Gannet, Guillemot, Razorbill, Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Jackdaw and Tree Sparrow in the fields and even the Puffling near Grandstand popped close to it's nest tunnel entrance as if to say hello! It is still very noticeable that there are large number of non-breeders of all species on the ledges.
Todays Sightings
I'll start off with the "cute" factor as everyone admires the chicks!
Razorbill
Guillemot
"I wonder what's around that corner?"
The chicks of Razorbills and Guillemots are known as "Jumplings" due to the fact that at the tender age of three weeks, they jump, flightless from the ledges, into the sea! Here the male birds collect their jumpling and swim out to sea, continuing day and night, while teaching the jumpling the life skills necessary to survive.
Kittiwake
Gannets (with Guga of varying age)
Gannets lay one egg each year. It takes c45days to incubate and a further c90days until the Guga fledges!
Herring Gull
Jackdaw
Adult Birds
And yes, the Puffins showed off well! Did you know that one of the collective name for a group of Puffins is a circus? This one certainly made me feel rather dizzy!
Razorbills
"Up a bit, up a bit, aaaaah yes just there!"
"Come on, give us a kiss!"
It's a great sound on the cliffs just now - this is one of the backing groups!
"If we could just evict the Puffins, this would be an ideal home!"
Year 2 Gannet
Year 3 Gannet
Year 4 Gannet
The "love" fish! A gift for my beloved! Usually passes between the two birds for a long period of time before being consumed!
Fulmars
And finally, one of the enigmatic Tree Sparrows
As always, "Keep 'em Peeled!"
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