Fulmars and Starlings at Rottingdean

So here goes with my first post of 2015. The sun was shining, and with just a light breeze it was perfect for a quick walk along the Undercliff at Rottingdean. Plenty of gulls about, and with the tide out a few distant oystercatchers were hugging the water’s edge. It took me a while to spot the fulmars which were congregating at the Saltdean end of the walk, but once I found them they put on their usual excellent display.

To start things off, just a couple of standard flight shots.

Fulmars are very social birds, and the best moments are when they are interacting. They nest in the cliff hollows, and it’s common to see one or two settled comfortably in their nook while others approach and try to land. More often than not, they are given short shrift by the incumbents.

This seems to be quite a good year for starlings, and as the light began to fade they started to appear along the top of the cliffs. In starling terms this is a small flock.

And a group that flew in a little bit closer…

The final couple of shots are two more of starlings, but taken at ground level where they were picking up a scattering of crumbs left on a wall. The sun was quite low by now, hence the rich colours.

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.