The thick fog of last evening had thankfully cleared allowing my walk to Bempton Cliffs to be undertaken in a brighter shade of dull! Again there was no sunrise at the official hour, but a few brief appearances of the sun through still thick cloud occurred later.
Birds today included four Gannets passing through, good numbers of Fulmars and Herring Gulls, at least 2-3000 Guillemots on the sea, ledges and in flight and a group of c70 Pink Footed Geese over and looking to land near Cliff Lane.
Pink Footed Geese
It is usual during the winter months to have Guillemots visit the ledges at unpredictable times, varying in number and their length of stay. This year, so far, has been quite remarkable with large numbers attending very frequently. It is not really understood why the Guillemots return but various theories suggest wild weather, moult and checking of nest sites. It may be that the Guillemots seen during the winter at Bempton do not actually breed here but elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. Some of the birds are being observed presenting fish, mating and allopreening.
Guillemots
Guillemots "allopreening", a form of endearment
Fulmar
Brief post sunrise views
And finally, macro fungi under illumination
Please stay safe
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