A date with nature

The latest news from our Date With Nature projects around the UK. 

Kittiwakes keep their cool

Pack away the barbecue, the sunshade and the suntan lotion - the promise of a hot and sunny summer is disappearing quicker than you can put your umbrella up. But for one seabird visitor to our shores, the recent cooler temperatures have been just the ticket.

The kittiwake colony at Seaford's Splash Point, one of the most important in the South East, suffered a loss of around 200 chicks in 2006, due in part to the relentless heat that year.Kittiwake in flight - Steve Round

This year's heatwave hit just as the chicks were starting to hatch, leading to fears that a similar situation could occur if the hot weather persisted. But the return to cooler temperatures over the past fortnight means the majority of chicks survived their crucial first few weeks in the nest.

Many are now flying high over the cliff-face colony just like their parents - perfecting their flying and fishing skills, and getting used to being young adults.

Kate Whitton, Date With Nature organiser at RSPB South East, let me know the latest from our viewpoint, 'When the tide comes in, the kittiwakes gather to bob up and down on the water. When something disturbs them, they'll rise up and wheel around back towards the cliffs, it's an incredible sight.'

And it's one that you can see too, but you'll have to hurry! Our viewpoint is only open until next Sunday. After that, there won't be much to look at as the colony begins to migrate across the Atlantic to spend the winter in seas off the Canadian coast. The adults won't be returning to Splash Point until next spring.

Kate added: 'If parents are looking for something to entertain their own brood now the school holidays are here, watching these youngsters soar across the cliffs is great fun.'

Posted by lucinda king at 11:01 on 31 July 2009.  1 comments

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A date with nature
Posted on Thursday, 20 August 2009 at 10:32

As the kittiwakes at Splash Point start to leave the cliff face that has been their home for the past

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