Hi there!
Laura and Becky here the two new visitor experience interns based here at Bempton until the end of august. We will be sharing our experiences here at this incredible reserve with you all and keeping you up to date with the recent sightings.
The last few weeks have been incredible! The new visitor centre has opened, the birds have been heading back to the cliffs and we are now well in to spring. The usual characters are now back on the cliffs, and can be spotted from all of the view points; Gannetts, Razorbills, Guillimots, Kittiwakes, Fulmers and even the Puffins have been making a regular appearance (however they are a little more elusive than the others).
(RSPB Images)
The first Gannet chick of the year hatched on the 22nd April and has occasionally been spotted on the live video feed showing in the visitor centre.
At the feeding station there has also been the typical visitors for this time of year; goldfinch, Tree sparrow, House Sparrow, Starlings, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Green Finch, Chaffinch and Robin’s. As well as the usual suspects there were also Blackcap’s and Yellow Hammer spotted near the Dell.
We have also had a couple of Kestrels move in to the Owl box on the reserve and can be seen regularly perching outside the box. Thankfully this does not seem to have deterred the Barn owls, which have been seen regularly both in the morning and evenings from the visitor centre.
We have also have been lucky enough to have a few fantastic sightings from the visitor centre of a Short Eared owl.
(Photo by Steve Farrington©)
The short eared owls will soon be heading off to spend their summer up in the North.
The Peregrines have also been seen regularly from the Staple Newk and New Roll-up.
Great Skua’s have been spotted throughout the month with known sightings on the 14th, 25th and 26th April.
We’re looking forward to seeing what the nature trail has to offer as the weather warms up.
Some more recent sightings:
Little Ringed Plover (5th May)
Rough legged Buzzard (13th, 21st, 22nd)
Moorhen (13th)
Black cap (22nd)
Sand Martin (22nd)
Lesser Whitethroat (24th)
Swallow (26th)
Sparrow Hawk (7th)