Both are to be met with as visitors, the latter the rarer of the two.
Procellaria glacialis [Fulmar Petrel].
An occasional winter visitor. I had a specimen sent me from Gamrie, which approached a boat so closely that one of the fishermen knocked it down with an oar; this was several miles out at sea.
Puffinus major [Great Shearwater], and
Puffinus obscurus [Dusky Shearwater]. Only winter visitors.
Thalassidroma pelagica [Stormy Petrel].
A visitor, like the rest of its kindred, but more frequent, and may be met with at intervals all the year round. The superstitious dread of this little bird by sailors and fishermen is well known.
With the stormy petrel ends my List of the Birds of Banffshire. Many species given as “rare” may turn out to be of frequent occurrence, and many given as “occasional visitors” may prove to be natives. Species, too, not mentioned in this List may have to be included in the birds of the county; and no one will be more pleased to hear of such additions than myself.