Puffins
Back text: Puffins are rather comical looking birds with their large brightly coloured beaks. They usually nest on grass covered sea cliffs where they will excavate a burrow or use an old rabbit hole. They winter on the open sea.
Gannets
Back text: Many gannets are hatched on the remote sea cliffs of the British Isles. The largest colony in the world is on St. Kilda to the west of the Outer Hebrides. It is a spectacular sight to see gannets diving like arrows to catch fish.
Kittiwakes
Back text: These are gulls of the open sea. Their name comes from their ‘Kitti-wake’ call. Their nests are compact and neat. They are built mainly of grasses and seaweeds on narrow ledges along the rocky coasts of the British Isles.
Cormorant
Back text: A large black bird with long neck and white patches below it’s eyes. They usually nest close together on the higher parts of cliff faces. Their feathers are not waterproofed and they can often be seen drying them in the breeze.
Peregrine Falcom
Back text: Unfortunately these attractive birds are the victims of pesticides and are becoming quite rare. They are considered to be the fastest flying of the British birds. Speeds of 275 kph have been claimed for them during dives.
Common Guillemots
Back text: During the breeding season these small marine diving bords occupy precipitous sea cliffs. The females lay one large pear shaped egg. The young go down to the sea after two weeks where the parents continue to feed them. They catch fish by chasing them underwater with their feet and wings.