Bempton Cliffs Walk - 17th March 2022

 

Razorbills

A later than normal walk to the cliffs (0700hrs), in sunshine, but still a cool wind. The cliffs are starting to get busy, even at early doors. I met a few "big lens" photographers, grumping their way along the cliffs, some grunting as I wished them a good morning! I wonder if they were unhappy about the lack of seabirds? The cliffs only had small numbers of Auks (Razorbills & Guillemots), mostly distant and what seemed like smaller numbers of Gannets and Fulmars. Perhaps this was why? Still, I enjoyed my walk and happily took images of whatever took my fancy!

Gannets

Throughout the year, male Gannets gather all sorts of things, (vegetation, seaweed, rope, netting, basically anything!), that they then present to their partner as a form of endearment and bond renewal. This gift is graciously accepted and is embedded into the nest. Over years the nests grow enormously, with some eventually coming together to form a huge nest with several pairs within. Looking at the nests, you can tell the new breeders, small and spartan and the long term breeders, massive!

 Razorbills

Another term of endearment is "allopreening", when a bird preens it's partner, normally an individual act.

Fulmars

Guillemots

Herring Gull

All images taken handheld, in manual, with Sony RX10 Mk4.