Kestrel
An overcast day with sunny intervals and a blustery south west wind greeted me on the cliffs today. A walk around the nature trail and dell areas was quiet with several family groups of between three and seven Common Whitethroats and a couple of Willow Warblers were best.
Down on the cliffs it was noticeably quieter with fewer birds on the ledges. Kittiwakes, Gannets, Fulmar, Herring Gull and Shag remain of the main breeding species but occasional views of Auks are still possible on the water and in flight but only in very small numbers.
An impressive sightings board today, which is a summary of birds reported by many observers and it should be remembered that many are passing through and may not be seen after the sighting.
The Gannets are high profile at the moment and their young (Gugas) continue to develop towards fledging. This one (top of image) is almost ready to fledge yet its neighbours have many weeks development left.
Gannets and their Gugas
The Gugas are exercising their wings regularly and growing in size. The parents will feed them until they fledge and the Gugas will be much larger and heavier when they depart the cliffs. This is in order to sustain them until they are able fly properly and feed themselves.
Kittiwakes are nearly all fledged and are known as Tarrocks in year one
Adult Kittiwakes are pretty birds, but I think they lose the edge over Tarrocks at this time of year
Fulmars never fail to impress
Year 1 Gannets are still on the cliffs, but I attempted to capture the many immature Gannets seen at the moment
Year 5 Gannet
Year 4 Gannet
Year 3 Gannet
Year 2 / 3 Gannet
And who can resist a close up of a magnificent Gannet?
While on Gannets, the Yorkshire Belle sailed by on its RSPB diving Gannets cruise
Nature can be cruel and deaths occur for various reasons. Here Great Black Backed Gulls feed on dead Gugas.
Kestrel
Herring Gull
I don't often take images of the resident Shags due to the distance away, but today I had a go!
Don't forget, "Keep 'em peeled!"
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