Dunstanburgh Coast 18-5-09

Isn't it odd I have about 20+ House Sparrows in the garden, but I never get as close as this

A run up the coast to Dunstanburgh it was a bit breezy still with the odd shower, fantastic bit of coast this, sections of rock layers have ripples the forces must have been immense to create such scenes, Kittiwakes nesting on the steeper ledges some of the nests are about a foot deep and must have been used for many years, the castle looks fantastic as a ruin it must have been very impressive in its heyday, on the seaward side ,Guillemots & shags could also be seen in with the Kittiwakes and Razorbills close in on the sea these will nest in the rocks at the base I'm sure they would have been harvested in the days of occupation.

I seem to remember reading something of House Martins nesting on these cliffs , the castle is English Heritage, and the area is National Trust, the foreshore is owned by the Crown, not sure who owns the cliffs.

This section of coast is part of Boulmer Birders new patch, looking forward to posts of what he discovers here.

The constant calling must be for some reason, these nests must have been here for many years.

The humble Sparra!!!!! it may be, but one smart bird nevertheless.

The skies darken just before a shower.

My lens cant get it all in unless I am a long way off, a few people with tripods set up to photograph the castle from every angle

Look at the quality of finish in that stone work, British build, or where they workers brought in from France ???

The upper fence is inside the castle grounds, this shot does not show the scale I should have waited till someone stood there , those white dots along the base are Kittiwakes

Razorbill close inshore actually my first for the year, not sure how many pairs are here.