Characteristics: The contrast between the dark upper parts and the white underside along with his gliding flight over the sea makes the Manx Shearwater easily recognisable. He is rarely seen on land due to his nocturnal habits. Habitat: These birds nest on rocky islands on the western coasts in deep burrows sometimes on cliffs high…
DetailsCharacteristics: A large dark seabird with a long neck and a powerful straight hook tipped bill. In breeding season the throat and thighs are white. Habitat: Nests around the coast on rocky islands and cliffs but also on man made buildings. In Winter they disperse around the coast moving inland to estuaries and large lakes.…
DetailsCharacteristics: A medium sized tern with a black cap, red bill and very short red legs. Very similar to the Artic Tern, but their underside is whiter and wings are darker. The bill and legs are slightly shorter and in flight the forked tail shows shorter streamers. Habitat: Common visitor to Ireland during the Summer…
DetailsCharacteristics: Razorbills are black with white underparts and a sharp bill, as the name implies. The bill is latterly compressed and is crossed by a white line running to the eye. In Winter their cheeks and throat become white. Flight appears fast, usually low, and the wings are also used underwater in pursuit of fish…
DetailsCharacteristics: Gull-like but stockier with a thicker head and neck. Fulmars have greyish upper parts and a white head and body. Their ‘tuber nose’ bill and straightness of the wings in flight make identification easy. Habitat: Common around all coasts with nesting ledges. In Winter the Fulmars disperse over the sea often following fishing boats…
DetailsCharacteristics: A very large gull with a black back and wings. Its massive yellow bill has an orange spot at the tip and its legs are flesh –coloured. Often seen standing on an outcrop surveying the surrounding coastline. Habitat: Breeds on rocky coasts and islands. Found with other nesting seabirds but in the Winter may…
DetailsCharacteristics: Their size and shape resemble that of the Herring Gull. However, these have a dark slate-grey back with slightly proportionately longer wings and yellow legs. In Winter, they have a streaky yellow head with yellowish-pink legs. The birds juveniles are difficult to separate from the young herring gulls, but they do tend to be…
DetailsCharacteristics: The herring gull is white with a pale grey back and wings. Their wings are black tipped while they possess a powerful yellow and red spotted bill, yellow eyes and can be seen to have pink feet. In Winter, the birds head has brownish streaks. Juvenile herring gulls are speckled brown, with a black…
DetailsCharacteristics: A medium sized gull with a dark chocolate brown hood in Summer, with a red bill and legs. During the Summer months, the hood does not extend as far as the nape. In Winter it is reduced to dark smudges behind the eyes. The upper wings show large triangular white panels at the tips…
DetailsCharacteristics: A small gull, with a rounded white head, narrow yellow bill, dark eyes and greenish yellow feet. In Winter the white head is streaked with brownish marks. There is a chuckling ‘kak- kak- kak’ call made when birds are in large migrating flocks. Habitat: Breeds commonly on the coasts of Northern Britain, Baltic and…
Details