The March outing with Hull Nats started at Buckton village, just west of Bempton. We made a first stop at the village pond, where we had Teal, Curlew, Canada and Greylag Geese, Pied Wagtail and Mallard. It was cold, showers and brief sunny spells. A stiff bumblebee fell off the willow by the path. We carried on by Hoddy Cows Lane. Skylark after Skylark singing, sometimes two at the same time, were the soundtrack. A Chiffchaff joined in at some point. There are patches of Gorse in full bloom, and we see the Heligoland trap in a patch of scrub. There are menacing clouds coming, but we only get brief, light showers. A wetland has ample botanic interest and slows us down. I scan towards the sea in the distance and see my first Gannets this year.
Naturalists in action.
Hoddy Cows Lane.
A cold bumblebee laden with mites.
Skylark.
As we arrive at the cliffs, we watch numerous Gannets collecting grass at the clifftop (top shot). As they leave, they hang in the updraft like kites. A Kestrel powers over us.
Gannets collecting nest material.
Razorbill.
Fulmars.
Raft of Razorbills on the sea.
Herring Gull.
A lone Guillemot on the cliffs. Hard to take sharp photos in the strong wind.
The only Puffin we saw on the cliffs.
Most of the Kittiwakes were in large rafts off sea.
Skypointing.
Feral Pigeon.
A Motus antenna has recently been installed at the visitor centre of Bempton Cliffs, where we stop for lunch.
Recent sightings panel
The ever present Tree Sparrows.
This House Sparrow was at Bempton village on the way back.
2 comments:
Wonderful pictures of the Gannets picking up grass. I had no idea they made comfortable nests for themselves.
Thank you Ralph, it is a wonderful thing to see, as like Kittiwakes, collecting nest material is a communal behaviour in Gannets. Many, however, collect fishing gear for their nests and I've seen adults that have died entangled later.
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