Seabirds at Fowlsheugh

We took dad to see the birds at Fowlsheugh yesterday. Over 100,000 seabirds come to the cliffs of Fowlsheugh over the spring and summer to breed turning the cliffs into a bustling King’s Cross Station of Guillemots, Razorbills, and Kittiwakes as well as the odd Puffin and Fulmar.

Scotland’s seabirds have had a challenging few years with populations devastated by bird flu. There is also pressure from climate change with thousands of birds dying of starvation last year as ocean temperature changes affect the fish populations they depend on. Over-fishing probably doesn’t help either.

I’ve not seen the bird colony in the summer before so I’m not sure how the numbers this year compare to previous years but it was certainly very busy with the cliffs turning white from bird droppings. Can you see the birds?

I zoomed in for this next photo and if you looks closely you’ll see some of the chicks.

I have to say their nesting sites look precarious and exposed. I can’t think of a worse place to raise an infant but then I’m not a seabird so what do I know.

One thing you don’t get from photos is the sound – the birds are noisy! – so I took this video to capture it.

You can walk along the cliffs to a lookout with a large glass, panoramic window. It’s a lovely spot for a walk and picnic with the added bonus of getting to see the bird colony.