Fulmar, Fulmaris glacialis

Local status: Rare visitor

Given the proximity of the Yorkshire coast and its healthy Fulmar population, it is perhaps surprising how rare this species is in the York area. Birds have usually turned up following periods of coastal fog or northeasterly gales which have caused birds to drift inland from the coast. Whilst Wheldrake Ings and the Lower Derwent Valley account for half of the records, this is likely to be due to the large amount of observer coverage more than any particular pattern. Fulmars have occurred in nine months of the year, though five have occurred between mid March and late May.

Records:
2007: Wheldrake Ings, 17th March. One flew south.
1996: Wheldrake Ings, 28th April. One.
1996: Wheldrake Ings, 11th April. One.
1993: Lower Derwent Valley, 25th November. One flew southwest.
1993: Lower Derwent Valley, 26th May. One flew northeast.
1990: Escrick – Wheldrake road, 8th December. One took off and flew north.
1989 Castle Howard, 11th September. One flew north.
1987 Brandsby, 3rd July. One.
1987 Barlby, 14th February. One found dead.
1986 Wheldrake Ings, 12th September. One.
1985 Kirkham Gorge, 30th May. One.
1979 St Mary’s Gardens, York, 9th June. One.