As some of my regular sites are a little quiet while we await the returning wader migration, I visited Bempton today to see how our seabirds are fairing during their breeding season. A lovely clear morning with calm sea and excellent visibility all round. The walk down to the sea cliffs showed that the local Tree Sparrows were busy in the fields and many young birds were evident. Skylarks were singing and Meadow Pipits were showing well along the fence lines. I walked South on the cliffs to start with, making for the closest views of the spectacular Northern Gannets. I soon found some of the successful breeders with their large fluffy chick being closely watched over by the parent birds. Many of the adults were resting or cruising around the cliffs on a light breeze. Kittiwakes were in huge numbers and many were nesting successfully. They are such a pristine small seabird and soon these tiny chicks will be sporting their 1st winter plumage with the conspicuous black 'W' across the wings. The Guillemot is probably the most numerous bird on the cliffs and you only have to look down on the sea where large 'rafts' of Guillemots, together with Razorbills and Puffins can be seen A small meal brought back to the ledge. Perhaps for a youngster, out of sight between the parents. Again, chicks clearly visible along the ledges. This adult Guillemot held its wings extended as the chick tottered about on the narrow ledge. Very little room for exercise or movement on these sheer cliffs. Razorbills were on all the cliffs though I didn't see any with young at this time. There seem to be plenty of Puffins here this year. I had no trouble finding them on almost all the cliffs and there were many sitting on the sea too. As to how well they are breeding, that isn't so easy to assess compared to the previous birds. The Puffins nest in burrows or concealed crevices and the young rarely show before taking their leap off the cliffs at night, and disappearing out to sea. Today I was very lucky to see a young Puffin or 'pufflin' as one emerged from a crevice for a short time. The Puffins entertained the visitors as always, still holding on to their colourful bills until breeding is over. The dark shape behind this adult is the young Puffin. The bird I struggled to see in any great numbers was the Fulmar. I did see quite a few in flight and believe many are at sea at the moment. One was found on the cliff eventually!
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