Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Thursday, 10 August 2023

Bempton Cliffs Walk (Wildlife) - 10th August 2023

 

Gannet

The cliffs at the moment are dominated by the Gannets. Kittiwakes are starting to move on and all of the Auks (Puffins, Guillemots & Razorbills) have moved onto the sea. Interestingly, the Auks normally tend to swim far out into the sea, but hundreds of them can be seen in Bridlington Bay, with young, feeding. 

Gannets, like many seabirds, lay one egg per year. It is incubated for about 45days and is a further 90days before fledging. Gannets take 5years to reach breeding maturity and can be aged throughout that period. Generally, the darker a fledged Gannet is, the younger it is. Each year they will lose the dark feathers and gain more white. It is the opposite during the period to fledging whereby the whiter they are the younger they are. Gannets prior to fledging will be almost black. Young Gannets are known as "Guga's".







A "prial" of Crows



Stag Roe Deer




All images taken with Sony RX10 Mk4.


Thank you for looking.

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