Black Guillemots
Black Guillemots remind me of pigeons in their attitude and body shape. Maybe it’s the position of their wings? Maybe it’s the shape of their heads? Maybe it’s the proportion of their wings? It’s certainly not the black plumage or the red webbed feet.
It’s entertaining to spend time with them on the shallow rock cliffs of Westray, where pairs come in to tend to their families. I’m usually desperate to catch one coming in with a Butterfish, but today I’m relaxed. Just spending time with them is enough.
More Black Guillemots
Escape It's hard to discuss bird behaviour without projecting human values, behaviours and emotions on them. Are birds happy? Playing? Angry?… read more
The Black Guillemots of Aikerness I've had a few trips recently to the far north of Westray. It's a great place to go as it's… read more
Black Guillemot and fish There are 19,000 pairs of Black Guillemot in the UK. I'm enjoying the company of the ones which breed off… read more
2021 highlights of a wilder Orkney life I had a wonderful time on Westray in Orkney in 2021. The Puffins returned to breed and provided constant entertainment… read more
Tysties with Butterfish Black Guillemots are one of my favourite birds. I'm told, "They're the purist's bird for those who dislike the easy… read more
Black Guillemot with Butterfish I can see a Black Guillemot in the Atlantic. It has the familiar shape of a Butterfish in its grasp,… read more
If rocks could think and feel and see… If rocks could think and feel and see then life would be very different from their perspective. These rocks are… read more
Black Guillemot I'm on a day trip to the Mainland. That's the mainland of Orkney. In the harbour at Scapa there's a… read more
Black Guillemot with a Butterfish It's a sparkling day on Westray. As we look out we can see a Black Guillemot on the waves. It's… read more