For the first time in several weeks I ventured down to Rottingdean and headed along the Undercliff Walk to Saltdean. I had hoped that the fulmars might have returned for the winter, but it may be too early for them. There were plenty of black-headed gulls, jackdaws, and pigeons about, with the occasional rock pipit also foraging in the cliff-side shrubs.
The sea was beautifully still, and the tide was in. Pretty, but not generally the best conditions for spotting sea birds. They come in closer when the tide is out, and the feeding grounds exposed. So in the absence of much to cause me to pause, I wandered along the mile towards Saltdean and a good vantage point of the more distant Telscombe cliffs which had appeared to be the destination of a large flock of cormorants. The walk peters out before you can get too close the cliffs (there's another route to the top of them, but time was short as the sun was already dropping close to the horizon) and so I went as far I could. The following photos are all fairly brutal crops.
Anyway, the cormorants were indeed high on the cliff. Lots of them.
The cormorants were taking it in turns to circuit over the cliffs, but it was the next cliff along the coast that really caught my eye. Little more than dots to the naked eye, there was no doubt about their identity through the lens. A pair of peregrines were sitting out enjoying the late afternoon sunshine.
Occasionally a cormorant would fly over to take a closer look. The peregrines stoically ignored them.
The same can't be said for the cormorants when one of the peregrines took to the air. 
Mass exodus!
Those were the final shots, apart from one of the setting sun as I headed back to Rottingdean after what had proved to be a very successful couple of hours.
Camera note: all bird shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. Sunset taken with the EF 200mm f/2.8L II USM lens.
derWandersmann
19 Nov 2012All in all, a damned good day, I'd say, Words.
Those shots of the cormorants on the cliff are oddly reminiscent of some illustrations of pterodactyl-like creatures that I saw long ago in an Edgar Rice Burroughs novel about Pellucidar.
Wulpen
19 Nov 2012Supper shots lovely to see this, also I do thank you for your comment to my topic, there was Indeed a problem with Opera and If you have a look you will understand, do have a nice day
SittingFox
19 Nov 2012Blue sky and autumnal sunset – great! And the peregrines are an exciting find. I don't think I've seen any around this part of the coast yet, although lots of buzzards of course.
Words
19 Nov 2012Erwin, thanks! Opera can be a little erratic sometimes, but I still find it easier to use than any other blog system I've tried.
Words
19 Nov 2012dW, I've got to say that as days go that was a good one. I love watching the cormorant sup on the cliffs. I may try to venture closer but the coastline makes it tricky so they are pretty well isolated up there. There may be some closer vantage points from the along the top of the cliff.
derWandersmann
19 Nov 2012Well, of course, there's always the compelling reason to buy a longer lens.
Words
19 Nov 2012Adele, I've been aware that peregrines inhabit those cliffs, but it was good to get a chance to see them. I'm sure I'll get other opportunities to see them. I just have to hope for some decent weather.
Words
19 Nov 2012dW, I know… but the cost of the next step with L glass is outrageous. Mind you, having just seen a Canon cinematic lens for their DSLRs priced at over £38,000 I think I made the right choice to stick to stills photography.
gdare
20 Nov 2012That last photo confused me. I was always thinking that Sussex is on the eastern part of England, then I went to Wikipedia just to see that it's coast is looking mostly toward south. In general.
Now it all make sense :doh:
😆
serola
22 Nov 2012Third picture is excellent :hat:
Words
22 Nov 2012Darko, yes we're bang on the south coast. 😀
Words
22 Nov 2012Sami, thanks!