Jumplings

Some people know this but others don't.

Guillemot chicks are called Jumplings.

Guillemots lay a single large egg on the bare rock. Almost everyone is a different in it's colour and pattern, and this enables the birds to recognize the egg in the dense groups around the islands. It's also round at on end and pointed at the other. The reason for this is because if one bird lands and hits the egg it just spins around in a circle which prevents it from falling of the cliff edge. Clever eh.
The chick hatches after 32 days and further 3 weeks or so on the breeding colony, being fed mainly on sand eels.
One of most amazing things about Guillemot chicks is that they 'fledge' when only part grown and flightless. They are known as Jumplings as they jump of the cliff face before learning how to fly. The male Guillemot is waiting for them in the water and then takes them to a place called The Dogger Bank, which is a large fishing ground. This happens mostly during dusk and this is because they are trying to avoid those predatory gulls. This is the other season why we love our Sunset Cruises at this time of the year as you might get to see 1 or 2 Jumplings during the day but at dusk you get to see hundreds.
The male Guillemot will look after the chick for 4 to 6 weeks until it becomes big and strong enough to look after itself.

So here is a few pictures of those cute Jumplings. 

Bless. This little fella jumped but not far enough and got stuck on a ledge.

Go on you can do it.

First time in the water.

Mother said, "You really need to jump into the water now as you could do with a wash".

Jumpling said, "Your having a laugh. Have you seen how high up we are"

Guillemots trying to protect their chicks from the Gulls.

To late. A little Jumpling did not make it.

There is always a happy ending. Well sometimes. Daddy and Jumpling of to Dogger Bank.

 See you next year.