Surfbirds News

The recent run of winter weather has resulted in large numbers of Fulmars, a seabird that breeds on coastal cliffs and islands around the North Sea, being seen along the east coast of Britain. The increase in these birds was first noticed in The Netherlands, with more birds being washed up there in the last week than for the whole of last year. During periods of cold weather, northern birds can be pushed to unsuitable feeding areas further south, where they face starvation. In Britain we have already seen large numbers of Fulmars at some seawatching sites; 316 were counted passing Spurn Head in East Yorkshire last week, including thirteen ‘blue’ Fulmars, the northern colour phase of the Fulmar.

Fulmar © Steve Round, from the surfbirds galleries

The British Trust for Ornithology is now asking people to look out for dead Fulmars along the east coast of Britain, and is particularly keen to hear of large concentrations of dead birds. The BTO can then make arrangements for these birds to be collected and for their stomachs to be analysed for plastics. To report any concentrations of dead Fulmars, please contact the BTO at info@bto.org

The BTO is also asking people to look out for any metal rings that these birds might be carrying on their legs. These will help to determine their origins and provide a lot of information about the individuals concerned. These should be reported to the BTO online at www.ring.ac, or to the BTO Ringing Office, telephone 01842 750050.

A member of the Petrel family, the Fulmar is a little larger than a Common Gull, is white below and pale grey above, and can be identified by the unique ‘tubes’ that are found on top of the beak. The wings of the fulmar are much longer, narrower and stiffer than those of the Common Gull, and are ideal for a life spent at sea.