Seymour Birdies Diary: Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Gannets at Bempton Cliffs

23rd May 2023

My annual visit to Bempton Cliffs while on holiday in North Yorkshire to see the tens of thousands of sea birds that make it their home during the summer months. But Bempton is not only about sea birds as when you are making your way to the cliff you are greeted by the other speciality of the site, the Tree Sparrow. Tree Sparrows are gradually moving their range northwards and are now extinct in Hertfordshire and the most southernly colony I visit is at Welney in Norfolk, but luckily here at Bempton they are thriving.

There ar many breeding pairs and here is one collecting nest material.

At the cliff edge there were a few pairs of Fulmar Petrel, but nothing like the numbers of the other species. I first encountered Fulmars on Fair Isle when I soon learnt that if you get too close when they are on the nest they cough a fowl-smelling oil at you. Luckily at Bempton you are able to enjoy them at a safe range.

Petrels have evolved external tubular nasal passages set on top of their bill as seen on this photo which earns them the name of tubenoses.

Probably the most numerous bird at Bempton is the Kittiwake and today I saw more than ever before. It is possible to get good views of them on their nests and even collecting nest material. They seem to select the narrowest ledge possible for their nests.

And while the females are on the nests incubating the eggs the males just glide up and down the cliff face................

.......................and occasionally bring in more nest material.

But the star of the show are the Gannets which are also present in the tens of thousands and are very gregarious when it comes to nesting.

This pair seem to have selected a more secluded spot....................

......................whereas others cram into smaller areas with the inevitable shouting matches.

Gannets take five years to reach maturity and it is possible to see all ages at Bempton. As there are no all-brown young birds yet there are no 1st year birds present but this nearly all-brown bird is a 2nd year bird....................

......................and this one with about 50/50 brown and white is a 3rd year bird.

4th year birds are nearly all white with just a few remaining black feathers.

The remaining shots are of adult birds give or take the odd black feather.

And there is still a lot of activity bringing in more nest material.

Gnnets are also masters at hovering close to the cliff making the most of the up-draught................

...................and it can get quite busy.

But the best thing about Bempton is that despite being a vertical cliff it does provide the opportunities for some close-ups like this Gannet collecting nest material and some head shots which show just how close they come.