News from Heather Davison, who's working in Scarborough to show people the amazing peregrines on the cliffs

It’s been a couple of weeks since the start of the Scarborough peregrines Date with Nature scheme – and it’s been a mixed bag so far.

Unfortunately, the first nest failed. We can't be sure why, but our money is on the horrendous weather we have been having. As peregrines have been nesting there for several years now and they have fledged chicks each year, this seems the most likely explanation. 

 It may have been that the nest was just in the wrong spot and too exposed to the wind or was flooded out after the amount of rain that has come down.

The good news is that Mrs P has been looking very interested in a couple of old nests, so we will have to wait to see if she goes on to do the business.

We are just hoping this good weather will encourage the peregrines to nest again and hopefully lay another clutch. It has been known to happen if the first one fails, so fingers crossed! 

this wonderful picture was taken by Adrian Ewart earlier this month

Over the last week spring migrants have continued to trickle through, seabirds have been busy on the cliffs and wintering birds have been reluctant to leave!

Best bird by far was a Hoopoe found by Dave the Warden. Alas, it didn't stay, but shows yet again, that anything is possible. Other spring goodies have included Spotted Flycatcher, Ring Ouzel and Garden Warbler. Listen out for both Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat too, as you take a walk around the reserve and in surrounding fields look out for Yellow Wagtails and Corn Buntings. Please do stay on the reserve paths though, to avoid disturbing ground nesting birds.

Of the wintering birds, Siskins are still being seen around the feeders and Short-eared Owls are still hunting the grassland. The Owls now have a little more competition in the form of Barn Owls, which will have hungry young to feed nearby.

Out on the cliffs, Kittiwakes are now fully engaged in nest repairing activities, so a real snow storm of Kittiwakes around the pond towards Jubilee viewpoint. Gannet chicks are growing fast and there are plenty of Puffins on show.

Photographer, Steve Race, is blushing and beaming in equal measure about the early success of his photographic workshops.  He's not only been seeing his students produce some great shots, he's also been receiveing rave reviews.

From appreciative 'thank yous' to one attendee claiming a '100% improvement', the practical two hour sessions have proved 'an inspiration' for the first groups to put Steve through his paces.  

Even Steve's quick-thinking when rain threatened to stop play has been praised.  When the heaven's opened, the outdoor shoot became an indoor one at the nearby Richard Burton Gallery and Tearoom.  The combination of photography and cake seemed to make the event even more appealling (we can't think why).

If you want to join Steve and get the benefit of his advice, tips and direction, you can still book a place on 01262 850959.  Workshops run every Monday and Friday until June 29th, 10am to 12 noon.   To get the most out of this event, a digital SLR camera is required.

If Bempton Cliffs were a football team, the most popular name on the back of our replica shirts would be Puffin. Thousands of visitors come to the reserve every year and for many their first question is, ‘Are there any puffins?’ Well, the simple answer is ‘Yes’. And for those who are passionate about the mighty P there are two great ways you can get closer to these cheeky favourites. Firstly our gannet and puffin cruises are already sailing out of Bridlington harbour.

On Saturdays and Sundays thought May, June and early July the famous ‘Yorkshire Belle’ weighs anchor and sets off round the headland to give its passengers incredible views of the cliffs and the thousands of sea-birds nesting there.

On June 2, there’s a family-friendly cruise specifically aimed at our younger visitors with quizzes, competitions and a special commentary to keep children enthralled. It’s a great way for kids to have fun and learn a little too.

Then there’s our Puffin Patrols which begin in early June. In the capable hands of one of our friendly volunteers, you’ll be taken to the best spots to view puffins and find out a whole host of interesting facts and figures that one day might win you first prize in a pub quiz..

You can also become a friend of RSPB Bempton Cliffs on Facebook and find out what the puffins, and our other seabird visitors, are up to day-to-day. In fact, for puffin fans, the only thing we haven’t got is a puffin fan club…yet. 

More information keep checking our ‘Events’ page.

We've got some amazing, thrilling, exciting news... Peckster and Flip's chick is here. This morning at 9am it is was a mere egg... but by noon, it was a fluffy gannet chick - the first to hatch on the reserve this year.

 Mum and Dad are both well and will be sharing their parental responsibilities.

Other new arrivals are imminent and before long, the cliffs will be one huge, great big creche.

Peckster and Flip - also known as pair 33 by our seabird monitoring team - are always the first gannets to arrive back on the reserve, the first to lay egg and the first to have their chick,

Over the last few years, they have become something of superstars, starring extensively on Facebook and in the media.

We'll keep you updated on the chick's progress.