Gannet Life
I wasn't sure if I would make it to the cliffs today as I've been suffering horrid toothache resulting in a state of prolonged grumpiness! However, being a true dedicated professional and super hero, I made it and hung on until 1430 when I finally succumbed! The day started bright with sunny periods before heavy wintery showers arrived all combined with an annoying moderate blow!
All of the Auks (Razorbills, Guillemots and Puffins) had returned to the sea with only a very small number being seen in flight. Kittiwakes rafted on the sea but have yet to make landfall. Gannet numbers were good as were Fulmars and Herring Gulls. Shags are improving their looks with their breeding crests and many of the Cormorants are showing their white breeding patches.
So what was seen today?
Missing off the list was this female Smooth Newt, found on the footpath near Mosey Downgate. Missing because I had to seek assistance in identifying it!
Again, it was Gannet life that entertained us all!
Gannets Greeting
Followed by a small gift of love
The gift must have been appreciated as there followed cloacal activity (mating)!
Followed by a bigger gift of love!
These gifts of love / endearment can be anything from seaweed, vegetation, old rope, flowers, basically anything that takes fancy. Once accepted, they are placed into the nest which grows larger over the years.
Some of the "gifts" are obtained by legitimate means
But some are "borrowed" from other birds nests!
In the sea, a smaller number of Porpoises were seen as were Grey Seals
The brave crews of Filey lifeboat "RNLB Keep Fit Association" were on a training exercise below the cliffs
A random image of fantastic Tree Sparrows!
I seem to be ending my blog posts on sad notes. Last week I reported a Corvid (Jackdaw) entwined in fishing line. This week, a Razorbill has been spotted with its wing trapped in fishing line. I do not post the images lightly. It is to raise awareness of how we are impacting on our wildlife with horrific results. These final images are heavily cropped.
Remember, there is always plenty to see so, Keep 'em Peeled!
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