An afternoon with the Tysties of Westray
I love our trips out to see the Tysties – the Black Guillemots – on Westray. They seem to enjoy sitting on the cliffs and socialising. We’ll often say, “Look, there’s a Black Guillemot”, only to say, “There are three!” and then realise there are more. Often, we have a recount and we’ll be sitting on the cliffs with nine of them, all calling with their strange flutey whistle and snaking their necks at one another.
When they fly in with a fish they’ll sit on the cliffs with it, rather than going straight into the rocky piles which conceal their nests. When I first saw them I was worried that I was cramping their style and stopping them from going in to their nests, however being there seems to have no effect. They want to wander around and display their fish to every other Black Guillemot around.
The most common fish they return with is a deep red Butterfish or Rock Gunnel, Pholis gunnellus. This time, this Tystie has come back with something else.
The fish looks less pleased than the Tystie.
More Black Guillemots
Comedy gold This year I've decided to enter some photography competitions. I've been inspired by my dad, who won competition after competition… read more
Tystie tantrum A trip to the coast to see the Tysties, or Black Guillemots, is always an entertaining one. They appear to… read more
Black Guillemot with a beautiful fish Give Black Guillemots a respectful distance and they carry on their lives as normal, including displaying their fresh catch for… read more
Yet another fish shot A Black Guillemot in breeding plumage is a thrill. Even more so when it has a freshly caught fish to… read more
Fish delivery service It's normally Puffins I photograph with the sparkling Atlantic Ocean behind them. This time it's a Black Guillemot in flight… read more
Singing sweetly Black Guillemots make such a sweet noise. They sit on the cliff edge and sing their high-pitched song. It makes… read more
A fine catch I love to see a Black Guillemot with its catch, especially when it's as spectacular as this fish: Magnificent, isn't… read more
Gone for a walk This Black Guillemot has gone for a walk on the coast of Papa Westray with its Butterfish. Which makes me… read more