Common Guillemot take-off
Seeing the power of a Common Guillemot as it takes off is awe-inspiring. They have surprisingly short, narrow wings for a bird with such a chunky body. It looks as if there’s a lot of rippling muscle under those impressive waterproof feathers.
If only I had such rippling muscles under my waterproof.
More Common Guillemots
Feeling on edge It's time to destroy my car’s suspension driving on the track to Noup Head Lighthouse. Crawling to the edge of… read more
The Atlantic coast Today was a chance to walk the wild west Atlantic coast of Westray. When the waves roll in and crash… read more
Fishing I love chugging out of Brixham on board the Kelly's Hero. Brixham is still an active port, and it's a… read more
A Common Guillemot’s ramphotheca The coast of Westray is a great place to see the skeletons of birds. In particular, there are skulls littered… read more
Common Guillemots on the turn This is a Common Guillemot in its non-breeding plumage. Some of them, however, are getting frisky. This one is in… read more
Ledge nesting How do you land on a narrow ledge, high above the sea, in a stiff wind, which is already full… read more
Guillemot There's a Common Guillemot on the waves. It's having a little spruce up. Nesting in a colony is a great… read more
A minute and counting Common Guillemots are free-diving pursuit divers. Their diet is fish, and the fish which are alive in today's ocean are… read more
Bridled Common Guillemots There are Common Guillemots, Uria aalge, flying in front of the cliffs at Noup Head on Westray. It's a breezy day… read more