Tuesday 20 March 2012

Real estate Fulmar style.

The hope that something unusual might have arrived at the Restharrow Scrape was only partly fulfilled by the sight of three Brent Geese at the far end of the lake.

Although they are a common sight passing along the coast and regular in Pegwell Bay they are less frequently seen on the scrape.

They remained at a distance and I had hoped the they might be closer if I returned later, but not long after I left the hide I saw them fly out to sea, as I was coming out of the Elms.

The reason I was wandering in the Elms wasn't to see this rather cute Goldcrest, but because Ian (Hodgson) and Steve (Ray) had just shown me the frame filling photos they had got of a group of Crossbills, while I was looking at the three Brents! Unfortunately, like the Brents they didn't hang around and in the end I gave up and went for a cuppa at the obs.

On the way back I stopped off for a look along the Kingsdown under-cliff. I always like seeing the Fulmars in residence. This one had chose a rather nice but quite low dwelling. I could hear some loud cackling coming from the interior.

From a different angle I discovered that there was a second bird present and they seemed to be fully engrossed in each other, a good sign if little Fulmars are to arrive later.

Much higher up the cliff, but in a tenement in the same fault line another Fulmar was at his door. I think this one had the better view but the lower one was more aesthetically pleasing.

Further along this one seemed a less spacious cave, but had the added amenity of an outside balcony.

Each year I enjoy watching the Fulmars wonderfully controlled flights around the cliff and of course each year I take a load more pictures.

Most of the time they look extremely elegant and very smart, as they effortlessly glide on the up draught in front of the cliff.

I spent some time trying to get some decent photographs, It's been a while since I've tried with these birds and next week hopefully I'll be doing the same with some other seabirds, so I need the practice.
I hope that I'll manage a few of their large relatives, Albatrosses, providing the seas not too rough.

The foot path at the Under-cliff has been blocked by a fall. Not as big as at Langdon, but still a sizable load of chalk blocking the way. I don't now exactly when it came down, or how many potential nesting sites for Fulmars or House Martins took a tumble. Presumable new one will be created as the new surface erodes.

It doesn't look a lot from a distance but close up the real extent can be seen. I don't know how quickly Kent is disappearing into the sea, but if the sea level rises as predicted in the next hundred years it could accelerate. On the other hand I rather think there will be far greater threats to mans continued existence than cliff erosion!

1 comment:

Noushka said...

Some great shots on this nice blog!
Congratulations!