Shags? (1 Viewer)

Hi everyone. I was up at Flamborough the other day and it got me wondering whether I was seeing Cormorants or Shags or both. I was on the cliff tops watching the birds flying around and some of them seemed smaller but were also quite brown looking. So would you see Shags from these cliffs and also has anyone any tips about flying techniques or anything which may help me to distinguish the two in flight. Also is there a good place to see them on the cliffs?
Or are there just no Shags there at this time of year?
Cheers.

You should see both Cormorant and shag at Flamboro. They can be confusing in flight. For me Cormorant necks look the same width as the head whereas Shag are nipped thinner. Shag also flap quicker but this can often only be noted when the birds fly together. Shag have a thinner bill which looks stuck on whereas Cormorant bills look like a continuation of the head profile. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the reply.