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
Flying fish If you're a regular follower of my blog, you'll know that Black Guillemots are one of my favourite birds. This… read more
Black Guillemot with a catch I spent many days on the coasts of Westray and Papa Westray this summer photographing Black Guillemots. This one has… read more
Butterfish You need to have a serrated mouth and tongue to keep hold of a Butterfish. They're called that for a… read more
When your fish goes all curly A problem with hunting for your food is that sometimes it carries on wriggling. This Black Guillemot was having problems… read more
Fresh crab I'm surprised to see a Black Guillemot with something that doesn't look like a fish in its beak. I track… read more
Butterfish incoming! I've been enjoying the Black Guillemots on Westray this summer. Here's one bringing a Butterfish, Pholis gunnellus, or Rock Gunnel,… read more
Flatfish What's actually happening isn't what appears to be happening. It's laughing at the other one's fish flapping in the wind,… read more
Butterfish It's great fun to watch Black Guillemots bobbing on the waves off the coast of Westray. And I love it… read more
Incoming Tystie The Black Guillemots are struggling to feed their chick. There's even an outside possibility they have two chicks that they… read more