RSPB Bempton Cliffs, late May 2024

We spent two half days at RSPB Bempton.  The cliffs were a fantastic spectacle of courting and nesting birds, including Gannet, Guillemot, Razerbill, Puffin, Kittiwake, Herring Gull, Fulmar and Rock Doves. Locally they estimated over 300,000 birds were using the cliffs, with perhaps 3,000 Puffins.

Gannet

Gannets, specifically the Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), are large seabirds found along the coasts of the UK. Known for their striking appearance, Gannets have a distinctive white plumage with black wingtips and a yellowish head. They possess long, pointed wings and a robust, streamlined body, adapted for high-speed diving to catch fish.

Gannets are colonial breeders, forming large, noisy colonies on cliffs and rocky islands. The UK is home to several significant gannet colonies, notably on the islands of Bass Rock, St Kilda, and Ailsa Craig. As of the latest estimates, the total Gannet population in the UK is approximately 300,000 breeding pairs. This makes the UK one of the most important regions globally for the conservation and study of these impressive seabirds.






Razorbills

Razorbills (Alca torda) are striking seabirds found along the UK coastlines. Recognizable by their black upperparts and white underparts, they have a distinctive, thick, black bill with a white line along the tip. These birds are excellent swimmers, using their wings to "fly" underwater in pursuit of fish.

Razorbills typically nest in colonies on cliffs and rocky shores, often alongside other seabirds such as puffins and guillemots. They prefer crevices and ledges for nesting, where they lay a single egg per breeding season.

The UK is home to a significant population of razorbills, with major colonies located in areas such as the Isle of May, Skomer Island, and the Farne Islands. As of recent estimates, the UK supports approximately 110,000 breeding pairs of razorbills.






Guillemots

Guillemots are seabirds that inhabit the rocky cliffs and coastal regions of the UK. They have a sleek, black and white appearance, with a dark back, head, and wings contrasting with their white underparts. During the breeding season, they develop a distinctive thin, white eye stripe.

Guillemots are known for their densely packed breeding colonies, where they nest on narrow cliff ledges. They lay a single, pear-shaped egg that helps prevent it from rolling off the ledge. These birds are agile swimmers, diving deep into the ocean to catch small fish and other marine prey.

The UK hosts several large guillemot colonies, with significant populations on islands such as Skomer, Skokholm, and the Isle of May. As of recent estimates, the UK is home to around 1.4 million individual guillemots during the breeding season.

 




Puffins

Puffins, particularly the Atlantic Puffin (Fratercula arctica), are charming and colourful seabirds found along the UK’s coastal cliffs and islands. These small birds are easily recognizable by their bright orange beaks, vivid legs, and striking black and white plumage. During the breeding season, their beaks become more brightly coloured, making them even more distinctive.

Puffins nest in burrows or crevices on grassy cliff tops, forming large colonies. They lay a single egg per year and both parents take turns incubating the egg and feeding the chick. Puffins are excellent swimmers, using their wings to dive and catch small fish such as sand eels, which they often carry back to their nests in their beaks.

The UK is home to several important puffin colonies, with significant populations on islands such as the Farne Islands, Skomer Island, and St Kilda. According to recent estimates, the UK supports approximately 580,000 breeding pairs of puffins.  










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