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world / Environment for birds |
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| Seabirds |
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| Portland's sheer
limestone cliffs make ideal nesting sites for a variety of seabirds
such as Fulmars, Kittiwakes and Guillemots. These are true seabirds,
only coming in to land on the cliffs for a few weeks each year.
In their non-breeding period most disappear from view, flying
off to their feeding grounds in the Channel or other sea areas
around the British Isles. |
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| The Fulmar looks like
a gull, but is actually a member of the Petrel family, more
closely related to Albatrosses. It can be seen at a number of
sites around the island from November to July, as well as off
the Bill where it feeds in the waters around The Race. |
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| Fulmar |
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| Fulmars have such
short legs that they cannot stand properly and can only land
on ledges that are wide enough for them to lie down on! Fulmars
live to a great age but have a very low reproductive rate. It
is rare to see a young Fulmar on Portland's cliffs. |
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| Young Kittiwake |
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Kittiwakes are true
gulls but are rarely seen by non-birdwatchers as they feed exclusively
in offshore waters. For most people their only chance of seeing
one is at a breeding site, such as Portland Bill, or after gales
when they can be blown inland. |
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| Guillemots are members
of the Auk family, which includes Puffins and Razorbills. All
three species of auk breed at Portland Bill, although the Guillemot
is by far the most numerous. Each pair of Guillemots lays a
large pointed egg straight onto the bare nesting ledge. The
shape is supposed to stop it rolling off! |
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| Breeding Guillemots |
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| Winter Guillemot |
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In winter Guillemots
can be seen at sea anywhere off the British coast. They are
very susceptible to oil pollution and are more often washed
up on Chesil Beach than any other seabird. In spite of this
their population remains stable. |
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As well as the seabirds breeding on the island there are
many more that can be seen from the Bill flying past on their
way to more northerly latitudes. Gannets are nearly always
present but the nearest breeding colony is 60 miles away in
the Channel Islands.
Young Gannets are brown all over but they soon develop white
bodies and by the time they are adult they are white all over
with black ends to their wings. This takes 5 - 6 years. Most
Gannets fly staight past the Bill but occasionally they can
be seen diving into the water to catch fish. These are not
caught immediately but are chased under water first, the dive
being used mainly to give the birds enough impetus to gain
depth.
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| Young Gannet |
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