A gentleman came in to the visitor centre here at Bempton Cliffs today with this interesting question. However, when none of the staff or volunteers could come up with an answer, he provided us with his very own idea. He and his friends had invented the term 'canteen' to describe a flock of these interesting birds whilst on a visit to another reserve. Personally i think it's quite clever (and funny) but i wondered if anyone knew of the true term? If there doesn't seem to be one then i for one will definately be adopting 'canteen'!

Rachael Tulloch (Warden Intern, RSPB Fairburn Ings)