Fulmar
The Fulmar is almost gull-like but is a grey and white seabird that is related to the albatrosses. It flies low over the sea on stiff wings with shallow wing beats, gliding and banking to show its white under-parts and then grey upper-parts. At its breeding sites it will fly high up the cliff face riding the updraughts. Fulmars feed in flocks out at sea and defend their nests from intruders by spitting out a foul-smelling oil.
Fulmars breed on coastal cliffs with suitable ledges and grassy slopes but will occasionally breed on buildings.
Fulmars are best looked for at seabird colonies and are most abundant along the Scottish coastline especially in the Northern Isles. They are least common along the east, south and north-west coasts of England.
Adults are present at the breeding colonies nearly all year although young birds leave in late summer. Away from the breeding colonies, Fulmars spend their whole time offshore at sea.
Date: 20th June 2013
Location: Handa Island, Highland
Fulmars breed on coastal cliffs with suitable ledges and grassy slopes but will occasionally breed on buildings.
Fulmars are best looked for at seabird colonies and are most abundant along the Scottish coastline especially in the Northern Isles. They are least common along the east, south and north-west coasts of England.
Adults are present at the breeding colonies nearly all year although young birds leave in late summer. Away from the breeding colonies, Fulmars spend their whole time offshore at sea.
Date: 20th June 2013
Location: Handa Island, Highland
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Also in: Fulmars
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