There's so much to report this week that I'm not really sure where to start. Perhaps with the news that both a marsh harrier and a spotted flycatcher were observed in the area around the centre over the weekend. Both were, of course, welcome visitors, if not a little different in shape, size and character! Whilst spotted flycatchers are thought to be declining rapidly in number throughout the UK, they are much more at home on our reserve than the marsh harrier, which likes to live (unsurprisingly) over marshes, reedbeds and wetlands. Another of our birds of prey, the peregrine, has been highly active around the main gannet colony at Staple Newk recently too. There have been numerous sightings, including that of a rogue juvenile being chased of by one of the established adults.

 

The comical and highly sought after puffins haven't been disappointing visitors of late either. Those who have been lucky enough to get a place on one of our cruises to the base of Bempton Cliffs will know that whilst the population isn't booming, there are still plenty to be seen bobbing up and down in the water and flying through the bird congested air. Visitors walking the cliff path and spotting from the viewpoints have also had the privilege of seeing parent birds feeding their young pufflings with beakfuls of sandeels. This is a rare and fascinating sight that we hope many more of out visitors will be able to experience before the puffins move out of their crevices and burrows in August.

 

There's some exciting news from inside the visitor centre too. Within the past week, 10 brand new pairs of binoculars have been delivered for hire use, as well as another 10 pairs to make up part of the new Wildlife Explorers rucksacks. This is really good news as staff and customers alike have been anticipating their arrival. The most recent copy of the Yorkshire Bird Report (2008) also hit the shelves this week and has been selling like hotcakes. Photographs from our very own Steve Race (Education and Community Outreach Officer) grace both the front and back covers.

 

As you can see, Bempton Cliffs seems to be teeming with all sorts of wildlife at the moment. In addition to all of the marvellous birds that have already been mentioned it should be noted that swallows are nesting in the centres porch, skuas have been sighted offshore, minke whales have been spotted near the coast and a resident toad has been mooching around the back of the visitor centre for a while now. This years chicks are all at various stages with some having just fledged and some having just opened their eyes to their bright new world. If this isn't the time to visit Bempton Cliffs then I don't know when is....

know when is....

Rachael Tulloch (Warden Intern, RSPB Fairburn Ings)