Characteristics: 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 for discarded fish scraps.

Habits: Intruders to the nest are attacked with a vile-smelling oil which the Fulmar spits at them. The birds may also spend hours gliding past a possible nesting ledge trying to land on it, only to be repelled by other birds.