Page 36 - An-introduction-to-Svalbard

BIRDS

Svalbard has a rich bird life, particularly sea birds that nest in large
colonies. More than 200 bird species have been observed in Svalbard
and its surrounding waters, but only a few species nest here. Four
species account for 95% of Svalbard’s abundant bird life: Brünnich’s
guillemot, the northern fulmar, the little auk and the black-legged
kittiwake. Nowhere else on earth do you find birds in such impressive
numbers this far north.

The northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) is a faithful companion to most ships in Arctic
waters. It nests on steep cliffs along the coasts of Svalbard and often returns to the same
nesting site year after year. No less than 125 colonies of northern fulmar have been observed
on Svalbard, with a total of more than two million birds!

Northern fulmar.
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