Fowlsheugh Pics (1 Viewer)

[Biscuitman]

The wife and I had a jaunt out on Wednesday down to Crawton and Fowlsheugh - her Fisherfolk ancestors fished out of Crawton so we combined our trip for Historical and Ornithological purposes. A beautiful day, with birds galore, as you'd expect at this time of the year. Anyway I thought I'd try out my new camera - nothing fancy just a Nikon B500 bridge camera. I've attached a few pics for your perusal and any constructive comments welcome - good or bad!

 

[Green Sandpiper]

Nice shots. I'm heading up there either Monday or Tuesday. Any word about puffins when you were there?

 

[Biscuitman]

No, certainly didn't see any Puffins - wife was a bit disappointed, but I thought it might just be a bit too early. Wife managed to get bitten by some nasty, so if you're succeptible keep your legs covered. Insects seem to love my Mrs!

 

[burnie]

There are more Puffins at Auchmithie if you are after seeing some.

 

[kawwauser]

the puffins at fowlsheugh seem to keep themselves to a small area of the cliffs,as burnie said auchmithie is the place to see puffins

 

[Green Sandpiper]

Terrible record shot of a Great Skua on Sunday, looking peaceful, serene and not-at-all vicious.

 

[Green Sandpiper]

A few more photos from last week's day out at Fowlsheugh. A handful of year ticks, including the Bonxie, but even better the overall experience of this beautiful seabird city.

 

[burnie]

Had a good couple of hours at the cliffs, mixture of birds on eggs, some with very young chicks and some with well developed chicks. Good numbers of Kittiwakes amongst the heap of Razorbills and Guillemots, a few Fulmars and amongst the Guillemots quite a few of the Brindled ones.

 

[burnie]

Some more pictures, got a bit carried away lol

 

[Biscuitman]

Some more pictures, got a bit carried away lol

Some nice pictures there Burnie. Interesting word 'brindled' - had to look it up!! Must get back down there again soon.

 

[delia todd]

Some nice pictures there Burnie. Interesting word 'brindled' - had to look it up!! Must get back down there again soon.

LOL I didn't notice that before. Brindle is an animal colour usually a sort of mottled or streaked brown/back.

BM actually meant to put 'bridled', probably an autocorrect issue. It's referring to the white line coming from the eye of the Guillemot at the back.

 

[burnie]

I've heard them called Bridled and Brindled, never sure which is correct lol.

 

[delia todd]

Here you go Burnie: brindled

The 'bridle' reminded the namer of the tack a horse wears on his head I guess. But Brindle is definitely a colour.

 

[Stonefaction]

Bridled is the correct term with regards Guillemots.

Distribution of the Bridled Form of the Common Guillemot (Uria aalge) - Nature

THIS subject forms an excellent illustration of how character gradients in and between geographical races of animals submit to the treatment suggested by Huxley1. In this instance, the cline—to make use of his term—is one in the proportions of polymorphs. The bridled form of Uria aalge, a...

www.nature.com

 

[Biscuitman]

Took inspiration from Burnie and went to Fowlsheugh yesterday with the wife who wanted to see a Puffin. Alas she missed probably the only Puffin there, although I did see one come out of a burrow briefly and the head of his(?) mate who didn't quite venture out. Alas not even time for a photo.
Very busy especially at the cabin end where the Puffins were supposed to be.

 

[burnie]

The Puffins seem to be being dislodged by Razorbills, there are some in the big cave and a couple of burrows to the left hand side when looking north from the bench seat.

 

[Biscuitman]

Yes, that was exactly where I saw the two Puffins in the same burrow.

 

[Biscuitman]

A few pics from yesterday.

 

[kawwauser]

I was there one year and could,t find a puffin,suddenly just after tea time 5 appeared at the same spot

 

[burnie]

Had an early trip up today in bright sunshine this time, everything seems a bit late, maybe it's me, but no sign of eggs yet and more birds sat on the sea than on the shore. Very few Razorbills present and zero Puffins seen. Good numbers of Rock Doves, Kittiwakes and Guillemots, a few Herring Gulls and Fulmars and a large number of seals hauled out on the small rock.
Copulating Kittiwakes and Razorbills "rammying"...................click on the flickr link to watch, there is sound too, but luckily no smelly vision....phew.

Sea bird colony. by tigerburnie, on Flickr