Late May is a very exciting time at RSPB Bempton Cliffs where most of the birds are now sat on eggs and we have just had our first chicks of 2010. The first Gannet chick of the year was produced by our regular visitors, Pair 33 - aka Peckster and Flip who are usually the first Gannets to come back to Bempton. The nest can be seen on top of the arch which can be viewed from the "Staple Newk" viewpoint.
The first Guillemot chicks have now started to appear, which are visible from most of the viewpoints, and the Kittiwakes can be seen sat on their eggs, with one pair visible from Bartlett Nab viewpoint looking north, having recently just hatched out two cute little chicks. Puffins are starting to arrive now in greater numbers and if you are lucky, can be seen gathering grass from the cliff tops.
Migrant birds keep passing through the reserve with a male Red Backed Shrike seen in the hedgerow just south of the old RAF station, Reed Warbler and Treecreeper have been seen in the feeding station and a large influx of Whitethroats can be found all over the reserve. Also present are Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Swallow, House Martin, Swift and Wheatear.
Latest NewsJust a few miles southwards down the coastline from Bempton Cliffs, is Flamborough Head, and on Wednesday 26th May between 06.05am-06.10am, a report was sent in of a Black-Browed Albatross seen heading eastwards out to sea just off the headland. Wow, just imagine this amazing bird sitting on the cliffs with the Gannets at Bempton (may be one day!!).
Bempton Cliffs is the only mainland breeding seabird colony in the UK - once visited never forgotten.