Early morning cloud and light rain indicated no spectacular sunrise this morning so a later than usual local exercise walk to the cliffs. It was quite mild but the dull cloudy conditions prevailed always with a hint of rain in the air. So be it, I needed to be outside!
The Guillemots have returned to the sea with none on the ledges and only a few on the water and in flight. Fulmar numbers have also decreased. The Gannets, however, continue to increase, on the ledges, sea and in flight. Some of the Gannets have paired (Gannets pair for life, returning to the same nest ledge throughout their lives). Once the breeding season is over, the male and female Gannets go their own separate ways and don't see each other until they return to their nest ledges at the start of the breeding season. The repatriation of a pair of Gannets is a joy to observe.
Gannet pair repatriation is a mix of "perceived" violence and tenderness!
No comments:
Post a Comment