Probable fulmar at miruwai

[harryhatman]

Hi guys,

Im aware this is a big call but pretty sure i saw a fulmar at miruwai yesterday through the scope at distance. I headed out that way due to the strong westerly and had a single bird at distance through the scope.

I was able to see it had pale head, pale grey back with white wing patches. The bird gluided in circles and then fluttered and then circled again as i followed it for a few minutes as it was flying north.

There were lots of diving petrels too at that time and quite a few sootys.

My only doubt is the bird was quite distant but i ruled out red billed gull as wing tips were not jet black and flight didnt look right at all.

I stayed a few hours to try and find a closer bird but there was only one.

While i accept im not a true expert on seabirds and that fulmar is more of a mid-late winter bird I am all but certain on the id.