The Fulmar Triathlon
Fulmars are one of my favourite birds. All animals have some sort of compromise in their bodies because of the range of functions they have to fulfil and Fulmars seem to compromise just like others. Fulmars have to compete in the triathlon of walking, swimming and flying. A Fulmar’s weakest triathlon event is definitely walking. With legs too far back for efficient walking, they are ungainly and awkward on land. They are beautiful, but out of their element on Earth.
The Fulmar’s second best triathlon event is swimming. They have large feet with fully webbed toes and can make powerful strokes to propel themselves.
They are very confident on the sea.
Their strongest triathlon event is definitely flying.
Fulmars are complete masters of the skies and live to cruise the wind.
Earth, wind and water, Fulmars live in and on them all, but the wind is their true calling.
Mallimack surprise - The Fulmars on Westray are littering the coast with their ungainly earthly forms, as well as flying effortlessly along the cliffs with their aerial selves. They look so beautiful, and oddly wise, in this late evening sunshine. It’s good to have long evenings after work to see them. I keep …
A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack - A Scootie Allan attacking a Mallimack. An Arctic Skua attacking a Fulmar. A Stercorarius parasiticus attacking a Fulmarus glacialis. Dramatic, isn’t it, in any language? This Fulmar strayed a little too close to the territory of a pair of Arctic Skuas and was pecked and mobbed into the distance. The Arctic …
Mallimack life - Fulmars are my favourite birds to watch flying. They have an effortless confidence on the wind, and glide with stiff wings as if every moment is a thrill to their senses. On land it’s a different story. Fulmar nests are often not much more than a scrape, with a platform …
One dramatic evening - It’s a dramatic evening, already quite dark, yet this Fulmar is still flying. The sun is lighting up the high clouds with a palette of glorious colours. I can see my house, Einar, silhouetted on the horizon. I sit and enjoy the passing of the day. There’s a Raven flying …
Mallimacks - We’re aboard the Ailsa Jane and I’m taking advantage of the creel boat having a very low side where the creels get dropped into the ocean. It means I can lie down and get eye-level with a fabulous array of life. There’s a Fulmar, Fulmarus glacialis, nearby hoping for some …
Alternative nesting sites - On the cliffs of Westray are two Fulmar resting places. They’re both in the north-end of the island. One is a bare ledge, the other a reclaimed Ravens’ nest. It’s hard not to project human attitudes onto them, especially since the massive Ravens’ nest towers above the neighbouring Fulmar’s bare …
A Fulmar at the skeleton house - A Fulmar from summer, sitting pretty on the top of a wall in the skeleton house. Its beached carcass and exposed ribs make a desolate view. Perfect for a passing Raven.
If ever I could fly - Of all the birds of the sea, the greatest fliers are the Fulmars: There is no bird so alive to the shifting breeze as the Fulmar: If ever I could fly, I would fly as a Fulmar.
2019 highlights of a wilder Orkney life - The turning of the year is always a great time for reflection. Celebrating the darkest day with the thought that longer days, warmer days and sunnier days are on their way is such an ancient and powerful part of our own biology that it’s been co-opted by Christianity for one …