Birding from the Belle

Birding from the BelleWith thanks

Sal Cooke (Cruise Co-ordinator)

Geoff Edmond Chrys Mellor Lenora BruceNigel Medcalf Barry Smithson Keith Barrow Roger Barnes Sarah Robins Karl Dutton Kev Barnard Mike Pearson

The Skipper (Pete) and crew of the Yorkshire Belle

And anyone I missed!

Breeding at Bempton

Kittiwakes•45,000 pairs•1% of the world

population•For 2006 the trend

was up

1997 0.44

1998 0.87

1999 1.34

2000 1.28

2001 1.07

2002 0.76

2003 0.25

2004 0.19

2005 0.62

2006 0.82

1997 0.44

1998 0.87

1999 1.34

2000 1.28

2001 1.07

2002 0.76

2003 0.25

2004 0.19

2005 0.62

2006 0.82

•2004 was the lowest record in 22 years of monitoring

304 nests were monitored (in five plots) 2 nests contained 3 fledged young (not seen for over ten years) 45 fledging 2149 fledging 1109 nests fledging none

Population of other Bempton Birds

~ 2,500 individuals

~ 8000 individuals

~ 45,000 individuals

~1,200 pairs

~3,900 pairs

~30 pairs

The RSPB Cruises

Yorkshire Belle 1947 -

2007

Built in 1947 the Belle is the last remaining of 6 Bridlington pleasure boats that operated during 1920s – 1950s

The Puffin Cruises

I didn’t see a puffin!

• I wanted to see a puffin,

• You know the ones that have their egg on their feet,

• And live on the ice.

Skua and Shearwaters

• Approximately 3 hours

• No guarantees– On birds– Or weather

• This year my personal count from the boat was 45 species

• And a best day of 34

Weather Conditions

Shearwaters

Skuas

Personal Highlight 2007

And other birds too

Thank youThank you