The first gannet chick to hatch this year at our Bempton Cliffs reserve is keeping a long-held record in the family.
Mum and dad, Peckster and Flip – aka Pair 33 after their nesting site on the dramatic Staple Newk rock – have for years been the first gannets to nest, lay an egg and breed at the reserve between Bridlington and Filey.
And this year is no exception. Peckster and Flip, who were named in a competition run by local schoolchildren, have kept up their first-to-do-everything reputation.
They laid the first egg in the 23,000-strong gannet colony – which spends the spring and summer on the cliffs from Bempton to Flamborough Head - and it hatched on 29 April.
Ruth Porter, the RSPB seabird researcher based at Bempton Cliffs, said: “The story of Peckster and Flip never fails to delight people who visit the reserve. Their habit of being the first to do everything is something that always amazes us.
“Despite growing concerns about the dramatic changes occurring in the UK's marine environment, gannets somehow seem to rise above it all.”
The number of breeding pairs along the coast increased by nearly 1,000 last year.
“The growth in numbers of gannets over the last 40 years has been phenomenal,” said Ruth.
“There were only 20 pairs here in 1970, so to see the cliffs today, full of adults, young birds and chicks, is really exciting.
"But, when we see big numbers of seabirds on the cliffs we should not forget that they depend on a healthy and safe sea to find food. We are calling on Government to ensure that the most important areas of the seas around the UK receive the best possible protection to help safeguard our seabird populations.
Story from RSPB