Apologies for the delay since the last recent sightings update, our office move has meant that access to our IT systems has been limited.
Seabird breeding season is in full swing, with plenty of our breeding Guillemot and Razorbill seen on eggs. Watch out for a tell-tale flash of blue when a Guillemot changes position. Most of our breeding Gannet are on eggs and the first Gannet chick was spotted on 6 May – nest 33 leading the way as usual. The first Fulmar egg was spotted from Jubilee viewpoint on 5 May. Kittiwake have started nest building in earnest.
Gannet Chick - Ruth Jeavons (iPhone Digi-Scoping)
Our resident Tree Sparrow and Skylark are very much in evidence. Corn Bunting seem to be having an excellent year and their jingling keys song can be heard up and down the reserve. Peregrine have been seen regularly from the Staple viewpoint. A Short-eared Owl has been seen regularly by early or late visitors. A Great Skua was seen over the sea on 29 April.
Corn Bunting - Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)
There are plenty of migrants around as well, with Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler heard regularly and Whitethroat regularly seen around the Dell and the car park. A Lesser Whitethroat was in the Dell 20 April, as was a Brambling. A Sedge Warbler has been heard along the direct path from the Visitor Centre towards the cliffs. Grasshopper Warbler has been heard near the Visitor Centre, most recently on 3 May. Several Wheatear have been seen on the reserve, most recently on 7 May. Wheatear have been also seen regularly along Hoddy Cows Lane at the far end of the reserve, as have Yellow Wagtail and Yellowhammer. Many Swallow have been seen passing through, and it appears that the pair which nested in the Visitor Centre last year has returned. Flyover Whimbrel were seen on 29 April, although this caused some confusion when reported in a certain newspaper as if they were in residence.
Finally, most exciting recent record for Bempton listers was the Moorhen on the pond on 5 and 6 May, which was generally considered to be the second record for the reserve.