Kittiwake Tarrock
A pleasant start to the day with long sunny periods but a cool south westerly blow. Unfortunately, I could only stay on the cliffs for the morning so I had to make the most of my four hours!
The birds on the cliffs are still thinning out with a noticeable reduction in Kittiwake numbers.
On the cliffs, you should never say never and you should always expect the unexpected! That is, except when I'm there!! However, today there was an element of intrigue and mystery involving a young Gannet (Guga) and a young Fulmar chick! On the south side of Bartlett Nab viewpoint is a large crack in the chalk which held a Fulmar nest and a chick (at least that was the case when I last looked, last Sunday). The chick was very downy and was not ready to fledge - indeed, it was very similar in development to this one
Today, on viewing the nest, I was gobsmacked to see this!
A very dirty, unhealthy looking Gannet Guga! But where had it come from? It couldn't fly and there were no ledges for it to waddle along
And what had happened to the Fulmar chick? It certainly wasn't in the hole
So, what had happened? The "thick plottens"! There are many questions!
How did the Guga get into the hole? Logically, did it fall from the ledges several meters above and manage to get a hold by this hole? Is the Guga still being fed by it's parents? Is the unhealthy appearance due to have thick oily stomach contents spat from the Fulmar chick (capable of doing so from two weeks of age? What is the prognosis for this Guga? What happened to the Fulmar chick? Did it fledge (unlikely)? Did the Guga having had oil spat at it from the Fulmar chick, kill the chick or throw it to its death? Maybe we will never know, but educated guesses are welcome! Bempton Cliffs is always full of surprises!
As breeding birds depart the cliffs, attention is drawn to the remaining breeders notably the Gannets. Gannets number c27000 birds. Incubation of their egg takes c45 days and from hatching to fledging c90 days. This means that there is a diverse range of ages - some have already fledged, some are still small bundles of white downy plumage, the majority are inbetweeners! Here follows a compilation of Gannet / Guga images depicting the vast age variations.
Fulmars can be difficult to see at times but they are still present on the cliffs
Giving the ugly duckling a run for its money!
Kittiwake Tarrocks continue to impress although in reducing numbers
Todays Sightings (as at 1230hrs)
Remember "Keep 'em Peeled"!
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