Arctic Skua
There’s a familiar silhouette on the slopes below Skea Hill.
It’s an Arctic Skua.
There are several ‘morphs’ of Arctic Skuas. There are very pale individuals, very dark individuals, and individuals which are intermediate between the two. This one is almost all dark but has the white patch on the head and neck.
It flies and comes nearer to me.
What an incredible bird.
More Arctic Skuas
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Dropping in for a bath I'm crouching down on shattered bare rocks in the desolate far north of Westray trying to get a photograph of… read more
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One Arctic Skua evening Arctic Skuas are one of my favourite birds. Their swept-back wings, hooked beaks and pointed tail feathers make a distinctive… read more