Fulmars

Noted Sam's comments with interest. Fulmars down here at Stackpole and Castlemartin coast can be found on cliff ledges some days, yet on others they are away feeding - much like other seabirds at this time of year. Often though they are not far offshore flying around and feeding. There were reasonable numbers on ledges on Saturday, yet the previous day the same ledges were empty!

It is also likely that at older, longer established colonies, adults may stay generally longer at the colony throughout the year, where as at newer, younger colonies they may be away from ledges more often outside the breeding season. It is also likely that the older established breeders are more likely to be around the colonies at this time of year.

From long-term annual counts on the Castlemartin coast, the summering fulmar population down here (although numbers fluctate a bit each day during the summer) is certainly regularly lower now than it used to be a few years ago and is probably declining a bit each year.

Perhaps colonies up your way are newish ones, or are in trouble too? It is still rather early in the season to be sure, but it might be useful to keep an eye on the situation this summer. I am not aware of any recent/regular summer seabird counts up your way, to compare with which is a pity.