Bempton Cliffs 22nd July 2019

Gannets with their Gugas

A pleasant day with sunny periods and a light south west wind was the order of the day, at least until you arrived on the viewpoints. Today was purgatory! Children were screaming, adults were frantically trying to rub themselves and their children down, many left for the sanctuary of the visitor centre. Why was this? Well swarms of thunder bugs, harvest flies and hoverflies had descended on the viewpoints, no doubt due to nearby fields being combined. It was like wearing a veil at times due to the shear numbers. I enjoyed a jam and fly sandwich, my coffee was flavoured by bugs, they went in mouths and eyes and penetrated every layer of clothing! Unpleasant as it was, they were more of a nuisance and luckily did not bite or sting.

Nightmare Bugs!

On the cliffs, it was very noticeable that the Guillemots and Razorbills had reduced in numbers (as expected at this time of year) and the Puffins had decided to play hard to spot!

Todays Sightings

As I said, the Puffins played hard to spot with most being seen in flight or on the sea. Those on the cliffs were distant and often obscured by rocks. Later in the day, on Grandstand viewpoint, we eventually got a close encounter! It only seems five minutes since we welcomed these enigmatic birds back on the cliffs and within the next few weeks we will be bidding them farewell until next year!

Guillemots and Razorbills have reduced considerably, but they can still be seen

Guillemot

Spot the "Bridled" Guillemot

Razorbill

The young Kittiwakes are developing well and gaining their year one markings. Some will soon be fledging whereby they are known as "Tarrocks".

Most of the Gannets now have Gugas of varying ages with some starting to lose white and gain black feathers.

Herring Gull

Fulmar "chilling"

The "new kids on the block" that have taken up residence on the cliffs at Bartlett Nab are still defending their new nest site. Interestingly, one of the birds is showing year 4 markings. Hopefully they will be mature enough to mate and raise young next year. Inexperience may be a problem though.

And finally, a Jackdaw keeping low to avoid the bugs!

I wont be on the cliffs next Sunday so make sure you "keep 'em peeled"!