Approaching the cliffs this morning, a strange gurgling growling sound could only mean one thing - the Guillemots are back in town (or at least on the ledges)! There were Guillemots here, Guillemots there, Guillemots almost everywhere! The cliffs were alive with the sound of.....yes you guessed it - Guillemots! In fact c3000! Although colleagues have reported seeing Guillemots on the cliffs, these were the first ones I've seen since last years breeding season. They do tend to tease everyone at this time of year with their unpredictability - thousands present for a day or several days and then completely absent for several more days or a week. This behaviour will continue until they return to breed in March/April.
If you look carefully at the Guillemots, you may spot some that appear to be wearing spectacles! These are called Bridled Guillemots and account for 2% of Bemptons population.
Other wildlife seen today included c10 Gannets in flight; c30 Fulmar; 5 Shags; 4 Great Black Backed Gulls; and 15 Herring Gulls. Out at sea, 3 Harbour Porpoise passed by. Of course, the Guillemots were exciting to see but the magnificent scenery cannot be neglected!