On my recent journeys between Brighton and Eastbourne I've driven past a sign to a 'seabird colony viewing station'. I decided to check it out today. The regular signs pointing to the 'Kittwakes' gave a handy clue as to what I might find. The photos can give only the barest impression of just how many birds were crammed on the cliff.
This is possibly the largest breeding colony in the south of England. From the viewing station almost every part of the cliff face had become home to the small gulls. The kittiwakes are among the most marine of all the seabirds, spending virtually the entire year at sea, visiting land only to breed. This year's clutch will survive three sea-borne seasons before they fully mature and return to land.
You can see the developing wing of one of the chicks in the centre of this shot.
Some of the many adults circling around the cliffs.
If you look closely you can see several chicks in these next shots. They have small dark markings around the neck and head, and open beaks (usually!).
The breeding site will be active for a few more weeks, and then by mid August all will be (relatively) quiet again. Until next year.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
RobinL
6 Jul 2011Words, Wow, that's really something to see! Great shots! They all seem to be on such a perilous perch! I wonder how many actually fall off!
garyftruman
6 Jul 2011amazing,could you smell them or did the sea breeze take the smell away?what about the noize?was they screching?
Words
6 Jul 2011Erwin, it was quite a sight!
Words
6 Jul 2011Robin, now that's a great question. It really doesn't look safe for them. I'm sure quite a few chicks must go over the edge before they fledge, and it must be worse when the rain sweeps in (which it has done quite a bit lately).
Words
6 Jul 2011Gary, they were really noisy, but there wasn't any smell in the air. But it was windy and they were quite a way off from where I was photographing.
anonymous
7 Jul 2011Gaina writes:
They are gorgeous birds :). If you want to see them up close in comfort, go to Baltic Mills Art Gallery in Newcastle and you can watch them while you have a coffee in the roof top restaurant :).
Words
8 Jul 2011Gaina, they do seem attracted to urban settings. Very cultured birds!
SittingFox
16 Jul 2011Wow, that's pretty impressive! I'll have to check it out myself at some point. I used to see the odd kittiwake when I lived in Lowestoft.
Words
16 Jul 2011Adele, I really ought to get myself down to Rottingdean to see if I can spot any young fulmars… This weekend would have been ideal, apart from the incessant rain. I may get back to the kittiwakes over the next couple of weeks.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Wow great breeding colony