Everyone’s experience of our wonderful reserve is very different. Some are amazed by the birdlife. Some are blown away by the sheer beauty of the landscape. And some, like our seabird researcher, Fiona, are taken aback by just how incredible nature is. Read her musings from on high below.
Hello! My name is Fiona and I am a voluntary seabird researcher here at Bempton Cliffs. You may see me huddled around a scope on the cliffs most days of the week - watching the fate of the wonderful birds in and around the reserve over the breeding season. Out of all the species I monitor the razorbills have proved to be the hardest for me, they hardly move in the three hour survey period, and a large number of birds on my plots were quite late to settle on the cliffs. Also, if you have ever watched razorbills they shake their heads from side to side, I am convinced they are telling me “No, no I am not moving for you!” Watching razorbills in what has felt like winter conditions for May has not been an easy task. BUT, the sight of a small, round, fluffy grey bum moving around under one of my razors yesterday made all the hardship worthwhile! Yes, it was my first razorbill chick! And what a cutie it was! Then to my absolute delight, a second bird also revealed its chick for my viewing! We finally have our first razorbill chicks of the season and I am very proud to have been the one to witness them. They look so fragile it is hard to think that in just over 15 days they will be ready to fledge! There are many dangers out there for these chicks to face, which is why I am so passionate about protecting the marine environment – to ensure the future of all the species that rely on our seas. Here is to a successful breeding season for all of our birds and to a positive future for all the chicks!