March has gifted us some beautiful sunny days here in North Yorkshire. And I am excited to write to you this week. For I had watched the forecast closely and planned a trip to Bempton, my favourite bird cliffs. The seabirds are returning!

The day I chose for my visit was exquisite. It started off misty but the sun broke through by mid-morning and stayed for the day. The cliffs looked magnificent, with crashing waves at their base, sparkly sunlight on the water and a moody purply haze on the horizon.

Although very early in the season, many birds had already arrived back from their winter at sea. The cliffs were alive again with the sights and sounds of gannets, guillemots, razorbills and fulmars. Some were back on their nest sites, some rafting on the sea and others in flight. What a joy to see them.

I especially love gannets. With their six foot wingspan they are masters of flight and with their sleek white bodies and yellow heads, just stunning to watch. Seeing them always uplifts and nourishes me.

Gannets mate for life and return to the same nest site year after year to reunite with their partners. In early March, many are still awaiting their partner's return. But on some nest sites both mates were already back, and displaying wonderful intimate courtship rituals together, curving their bodies from side to side, and then stretching upward to gently fence with each other's beaks ... a beautiful spectacle. Amazing to realise they had spent months apart, and here I was able to witness their meeting again. What a privilege.

Being my first visit of the breeding season, the day felt very special to me. Hours spent immersed in a world of towering cliffs, birdlife, waves and sunlight. A celebration of Nature's beauty and wonders. I felt deeply blessed. Food indeed for the soul.

Bempton RSPB Reserve. March 2026. Barbara Payman.

Gannets, Bempton. March 2026. Barbara Payman.

This week's self-kindness invitation is to consider what for you is 'food for your soul', and to do your best to give yourself a taste of it. Whether it be connection with nature, music, dance... whatever. Giving yourself this 'soul balm' can really help restore a sense of well-being and balance, especially useful if the world around is feeling challenging. Enjoy.