Fulmars of Fowlsheugh

Although I was tempted to hang around for another Osprey session, a visit to RSPB Fowlsheugh was planned, so we set off for the coast at Stonehaven. The drive via Tomintoul, Ballater and Banchory  is very pleasant, taking in a trip over the Lecht. With the snow gone the roads were almost deserted and birds were also few and far between, just a few Red Grouse monitoring our progress.

Martin and I had visited Fowlsheugh back in March and were amazed how many birds had already arrived so I was keen to revisit later in the season. Bird numbers had multiplied and the noise from thousands of Kittiwakes, Guillemots, Razorbills, Fulmars and Gulls was phenomenal.

Our target was close up views of Puffins, sadly not to be as Liz managed to find only one, and that was a long way off and eventually did a Houdini.. So we settled down on the cliff top, out of the wind and I attempted flight shots of what ever was passing by. We had failed miserably to capture Fulmars in flight back in March but today's conditions were much more helpful. So were the birds, circling the cliffs and coming within almost touching distance.  

 

 

As I said - they do come close!

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Thousands of Kittiwakes are present

Compared with Kittiwakes and Fulmars, Herring Gulls have an "evil" look

 I guess because this is not an over visited reserve the birds are more approachable.

 

Living in close proximity creates problems

 

Photography of flying Auks is virtually impossible.

I could sit and observe Razorbills for hours, I can empathise with their apparent grumpiness.