Our Ocean

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Seaful | Cal Major

31 July 2025

1h 13m

Seabird Spectacle - Guillemot Jumplings

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01:13:00

This is an extra special episode, recorded mid-seabird season at St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve where we are treated to one of nature's most wonderful spectacles - guillemot chicks of only 15 days old taking a leap of faith into the ocean for the first time. The 'Jumplings' can't fly, yet leap off cliffs around the UK for a couple of weeks every year to begin their lives out at sea.

We're guided on our adventure in St Abbs by the Head Ranger, Ciaran Hatsell, who is passionate, inspiring and full of knowledge about birds and nature at large. Overlooking the wild ocean, we discuss some recent developments to protect seabirds' food source, and some proposed developments which would mean disaster for seabirds along the East coast of the UK.

Ciaran also discusses his path into his job as head ranger, and the thrill of working with the incredible seabird team at the National Trust for Scotland.

Say No To Berwick Bank Wind Farm - Scottish Seabird Centre

Excellent pages on the National Trust for Scotland's Website:

St Abbs Head National Nature Reserve

Call for Ministers to Reject Berwick Bank Wind Farm Proposal

Five Things You Can Do To Help Save Scotland's Seabirds

RSPB: The Closure of Sandeel Fisheries

The Our Ocean podcast is brought to you by Seaful, the UK charity dedicated to connecting people to our ocean. To donate, please visit our website.

For more information about Seaful, please visit our Website, Instagram or Facebook. For questions or suggestions, please email us - podcast@seaful.org.uk

You can connect with The Our Ocean Podcast's host Cal Major through her Website, Instagram or Facebook.