Kittiwake
It’s always a joy to see an elegant Kittiwake, especially when it catches a fish.
Their population has been under significant pressure, due partly to overfishing of Sandeels in the North Sea. I hope we can leave these fish populations to recover and that the Kittiwakes they support will follow.
More Kittiwakes
A Kittiwake on the waves I'm used to seeing Kittiwakes in full summer plumage in Orkney. I see plenty of juveniles in the summer, too.… read more
Kittiwakes I'm used to seeing Kittiwakes in full, pristine, breeding plumage in Orkney. It's a pleasure to see some in their… read more
Life and death on the waves Strange things happen in the natural world. Here's a photograph from a sequence that I'm still mentally processing. From left… read more
A head-scratching moment I'm watching Kittiwakes fly past Noup Head, where cliffs keep a huge breeding seabird colony relatively safe from predators. One… read more
The diving Kittiwake I've not watched a Kittiwake feeding before. It's fascinating to see their wings beating, their eyes on the sea, their… read more
Kittiwake in the harbour A Kittiwake over Brixham breakwater. Such beautiful, elegant birds with their dipped-in-ink wings and smokey winter heads. I'm looking forward… read more
Arctic Skua attacking a Kittiwake I've seen Great Skuas attacking juvenile Kittiwakes on Westray. They pluck them out of the air and peck them to… read more
Kittisleeps Fledgling Kittiwakes are littering the inlets and cliffs of Westray. They seem like they are playing, delighted with their wings,… read more
Kittiwake in winter There's a beautiful gull with a yellow beak in Brixham harbour. I can see it diving and fishing in the… read more