We’ve just had another brilliant (and busy) week at Bempton Cliffs, especially so with the half-term school holiday providing an ideal opportunity for parents and grand-parents to bring their children to our reserve for a great family day out. Many of our young visitors took part in the activities we arranged, and all enjoyed identifying the various creature habitats on the wildlife trail, as well as spotting many birds and creatures listed in the winter bingo game. The good news is that these activities continue to be available for any children who are on holiday this week too.
With the exception of Monday, when a sea mist made viewing rather limited, we have experienced some excellent winter weather. This meant that as Tuesday dawned we were without doubt treated to the highlight of the week, the arrival of around twelve hundred Guillemots who had returned to their nesting sites. It was an amazing sight to see row upon row of these handsome seabirds lining the cliff face; but, as so often happens following the initial arrival of these birds, they began to return to the sea on Wednesday, and by Sunday they had all gone. They’ll be back!
Guillemot (image - rspb)
Performing regularly, and very popular with visitors, has been the spectacular sight of a Peregrine hunting its prey out over the cliff top. The really good news is that it has been joined by its mate, so we now have double delight in the peregrine department. Several visitors submitted wonderful images they’d taken of the peregrines in full hunting mode, which we have happily displayed in the reserve centre. We love to receive such photos, so please keep them coming.
Red Kite (image - rspb)
Not to be out-performed by Guillemots and Peregrines, our Short-eared Owl has been frequently seen most days in the late afternoon; and a Red Kite has been spotted on several occasions, soaring effortlessly over the fields adjoining the reserve.
On the sea, Black & Red-throated Divers continue to be seen from our viewpoints, as can the occasionally passing Eider. A must for many of the young visitors last week were the Harbour Porpoises, who could be seen breaking the surface on their frequent fishing trips.
Harbour Porpoise (image - Adrian Ewart)
Finally, a special mention should be made of our bird feeding station, from where most of our young wildlife explorers began their search for habitats and creatures last week. It is here that you can sit amongst the trees and enjoy the spectacle of assorted birds, such as Finches, Tits, Dunnocks, Tree Sparrows and Blackbirds, to name but a few, helping themselves to food.