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(Lychnis sp. [species]) also seen. We proceeded through
the village of Laurencekirk + to Fettercairn bridge
where a very lovely, single arch, stone bridge
spans the North Esk. The river is very
fine here running in a deep canyon
with dark pools separated by swift runs
+ small waterfalls. I tried to get down to
take a photo of the bridge but was
unable to because of precipitous walls
in some places + slippery mud in others
Young fulmar: After dinner we went to the cliffs again
+ I got quite close to a fulmar nest.
The single downy is bantam size, completely
covered in pale gray down paler, if not white,
beneath. Beak black. The beast can
scarcely move because of its very weak
legs in remarkable contrast to young
gulls. When I dropped a stone near it
it promptly vomited an oily substance
with sufficient velocity to reach 2 ft [feet] or
so. The nest is located on a narrow
earthy shelf under an overhang. Many other
nests seen were similarly placed, some
were almost completely enclosed by ivy
with a circular opening through which
the birds entered.
The adults never stand erect on their
legs, but walk on the flat of the lower
leg in a painful shuffle.
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