Cliff-side Fulmars

By Words | Published February 21, 2011

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).

Nature Blog Network
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.

This entry was posted in Bird of Prey, Birds, water birds and tagged , , , , .

12 Comments

  1. wellisteffi February 22, 2011 at 5:02 am #

    Great post. :up:
    I love your beautiful animal pictures. :love:

  2. Cynthia23 February 22, 2011 at 1:02 pm #

    Cool! hahahah is that fox sticking its tongue out? 😛 😀

  3. gdare February 22, 2011 at 7:02 pm #

    "…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 😛 😆

  4. Words February 22, 2011 at 8:02 pm #

    Steffi, thanks. The fulmars always make great subjects. Having a solid background makes so much difference.

  5. Words February 22, 2011 at 8:02 pm #

    Darko, 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!

  6. Words February 22, 2011 at 8:02 pm #

    Cynthia, he was being very persistent last night… completely intrigued by cameras :yikes:

  7. studio41 February 23, 2011 at 6:02 am #

    the first "fearsome looking" greenfinch is gorgeous photo! the fulmar is a pretty little thing. happy for your colony.

  8. Words February 23, 2011 at 7:02 am #

    Jill, thanks!

  9. cakkleberrylane February 23, 2011 at 6:02 pm #

    Wonderful collection of photos, yes the fearsome looking greenfinch is fearsome indeed!

  10. SittingFox February 23, 2011 at 7:02 pm #

    That greenfinch looks like it means business :knight:

    I suspect fulmars do get overlooked.

  11. Words February 23, 2011 at 7:02 pm #

    Lois, greenfinches are such tough looking birds, and great bullies of the feeder.

  12. Words February 23, 2011 at 8:02 pm #

    Adele, 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.