The fulmars are dominating the cliffs at Rottingdean at the moment. Supposedly fulmars are uncommon on the south coast, so I may be fortunate to have such a reliable and healthy colony on the doorstep. They can be seen anywhere around the British coastline, though the largest colonies are in Scotland. Numerically they are four times as common as the Herring Gull, a statistic that I suspect many will disbelieve (source: RSPB).
There are plenty of gulls in the vicinity, but they rarely venture to the cliff face. The pigeons, starlings, pipits and jackdaws do. And so, very occasionally, does a kestrel.
The last Rottingdean shot doesn't really have the ambiance of a traditional English seaside to it… somehow it seems more suited to a desert landscape (as perhaps does the kestrel). A pair of rooks.
I'll close with a couple of garden photos. The first is a fearsome looking greenfinch!
And finally… a fox (the young male, this evening). 
Camera note: all bird shots taken with the Canon 7D EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The fox was photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.
wellisteffi
22 Feb 2011Great post. :up:
I love your beautiful animal pictures. :love:
Cynthia23
22 Feb 2011Cool! hahahah is that fox sticking its tongue out? 😛 😀
gdare
22 Feb 2011"…four times as common as the Herring Gull,.."
And I have never seen them so far? Hmmm, must be in GB only, then :left:
That fox is hilarious 😛 😆
Words
22 Feb 2011Steffi, thanks. The fulmars always make great subjects. Having a solid background makes so much difference.
Words
22 Feb 2011Darko, most people here haven't seen them either, that's what is so weird. Everyone knows the herring gull, but I doubt if 1 in 100 would recognize a fulmar. I've got some footage of the fox for later. He was in a very odd mood last night… friendly but odd!
Words
22 Feb 2011Cynthia, he was being very persistent last night… completely intrigued by cameras :yikes:
studio41
23 Feb 2011the first "fearsome looking" greenfinch is gorgeous photo! the fulmar is a pretty little thing. happy for your colony.
Words
23 Feb 2011Jill, thanks!
cakkleberrylane
23 Feb 2011Wonderful collection of photos, yes the fearsome looking greenfinch is fearsome indeed!
SittingFox
23 Feb 2011That greenfinch looks like it means business :knight:
I suspect fulmars do get overlooked.
Words
23 Feb 2011Lois, greenfinches are such tough looking birds, and great bullies of the feeder.
Words
23 Feb 2011Adele, they are certainly very determined little birds. I still can't quite believe the reported number of fulmars in the UK. I assume the large colonies are in very isolated spots indeed.