Guillemot Dutch Coast (IJmuiden, 27th of Nov 2021) (1 Viewer)

[Frank-birding]

Today I saw this Guillemot swimming very far off, initially just behind a couple of Cormorants. Location IJmuiden (from the end of the South Pier), date was late this afternoon. Unfortunately the dark weather and the great distance didn't allow for decent images.
The bird attracted my attention because it was very small (my first split-second impression was more towards Little or Black-necked Grebe rather than a Guillemot when compared to the Cormorants). Furthermore it was clearly brown/white rather than blackish. Still, Common Guillemot is by far the most likely option in this location. But can a juveline Black Guillemot be dismissed? It might lack enough white on the folder wings for juv. Black Guillemot?

Regards, Frank

 

[Frank-birding]

Hi Edwin,

Thank you for looking into my ID-question. I saw indeed two Red-throated Divers as well today along the pier. But as this bird was strikingly small (a lot smaller than both Cormorants in its immediate vicinity) and didn't appear at any moment 'long-necked' I tend to rule out a Diver. Still, tricks of distance, posture and light cannot be ruled out as always.

Bye, Frank

 

[Edwin Sapatsch]

Hi Edwin,

Thank you for looking into my ID-question. I saw indeed two Red-throated Divers as well today along the pier. But as this bird was strikingly small (a lot smaller than both Cormorants in its immediate vicinity) and didn't appear at any moment 'long-necked' I tend to rule out a Diver. Still, tricks of distance, posture and light cannot be ruled out as always.

Bye, Frank

Hi Frank,
After reading your post through again(Which I should have done more thoroughly before replying) I saw your details on size and deleted my reply. It does indeed look like a Guileimot and with the photo being of such a small size it is impossible to get better detail out of it. Hopefully others will give their opinions soon.

 

[Frank-birding]

Thank you again Edwin, I’ll write it down as a Common Guillemot indeed. Furthermore, I entered my observation as ‘Guillemot uncertain’ on the Dutch waarneming.nl site (observation.org), and one of the moderators just confirmed Guillemot. So my riddle is solved fortunately.
Regards, Frank

 

[Mark Eising]

Thank you again Edwin, I’ll write it down as a Common Guillemot indeed. Furthermore, I entered my observation as ‘Guillemot uncertain’ on the Dutch waarneming.nl site (observation.org), and one of the moderators just confirmed Guillemot. So my riddle is solved fortunately.
Regards, Frank

Absolutely a Guillemot. They are quite common near the Pier in these months.