Something to Crow Puffin about!
The cliffs didn't call me this morning - they positively shouted at me! The weather was fantastic, the birds were fantastic, the visitors were fantastic, the whole reserve oozed "fantastic"! March is not yet out but the famous "Bempton 8" breeding birds (Puffin; Guillemot; Razorbill; Fulmar; Gannet; Kittiwake; Herring Gull and Shag) were all showing very well in the warm sunshine! Add to that "bonuses" such as a 1st winter Glaucous Gull (making two tours of the reserve), two Short-eared Owls; two White Wagtails and regular Peregrine sightings!
Todays Sightings
Seeing Puffins on the cliffs is always a pleasure but seeing them collecting materials for their nests, deep in the chalk is a pure delight!
Puffins being Puffins!
Guillemots are monomorphic in that they show little or no differences between sexes. The bridled Guillemot is however, a mutant, which apparently depends on a single gene difference and is distinguished by a white circle around the eye continuing backwards as a line towards the region of the nape. c2% of Guillemots at Bempton are bridled!
Bridled Guillemot (left) with Common Guillemot
This Bridled Guillemot is a male!
So, how do I know this bird is a male? Simple..........................!
And the rest of the Bempton 8 breeding specialists..............!
Common Guillemots
Razorbills
Kittiwake
Gannet
Fulmar
Herring Gull
Shag (perhaps the most difficult to see as they breed in the caves 400feet below the cliffs but can be seen on the water or low flying over the waves)!
Will you be able to spot the Bempton 8? Please let us know how you get on!
As from Saturday 1st April, the reserve will be opening at 0830hrs until 1700hrs, giving an extra hour of enjoyment!