English Channel - Fulmars

Yesterday out working on a fishing, 3 'dark phase' Fulmars in with the usual 'light phase' birds. Excellent neutral light conditions allowed these comparison shots (see below) with the 'dark' phase on the right. Although the scale of darkness is a gradient the right-hand bird would be a dark as opposed to a double dark. From seawatching experience I usually find Feb is the best month for them and they're out there!

Also 2 Bonxies around the boat. I've now seen bonxie every month of the year in the channel.

Despite lots (c300) of gulls feeding aroud the boat, for the fourth time this winter I failed to see a 'white winger' at sea.