Fulmar   Fulmarus glacialis

Abundant breeding resident, with some evidence of passage

 

About a dozen pairs recorded by John Garriock of Lerwick, on the 4th of June, 1878 represents the first recorded breeding in Britain away from the well established colony on St. Kilda (Evans & Buckley, cited in Pennington, et al., 2004). In 1892/93Traill recorded Fulmars as being quite common out at sea, with the first birds coming ashore at the beginning of January (Evans & Buckley, cited in Pennington, et al., 2004).

 

Since the first census in 1938 when 10 000 occupied sites were recorded, there have been between 8 000 (1959 – 60) and 20 000 (1968) occupied sites.

 

Blue phase birds are scarce but regular. In September 2002, at least 21 birds were seen off-shore.