Little Auk (1 Viewer)

[dafi]

There has been a lot talk about little Auks of late and i managed to see my first ones last week. I didnt think i would get to photograph one though. I got a strange chance tonight with a dead bird so i thought i would grab it and a point of intrest would post it here fo everyone to see.
Its strange to think this tiny sea bird breeds on the most northen of sea cliffs and spends its life over the open north atlantic.
I hope no ones going to be offended by the posting of a dead bird!

 

[Pam_m]

Hi Dafi,

I bet it is great to see the Little Auks, Dafi! I can imagine you were thrilled to see your first ever last week! Such a tough little bird aren't they to breed and spend it's life so far north!

I am not offended at all by your post, Dafi. After all it's sadly what happens isn't it and a fact of life.

Thanks for sharing your joy at seeing your first ever Little Auks! I hope you see many more!

 

[Kits]

Not offended, just sad.

Hope you get to see lots more, Dafi. Live ones, I mean.

 

[Chickadeedeedee]

Beautiful little bird! Congrats on your sightings.

Lydia

 

[Ruth Daniel]

Not offended at all Dafi.....just wish it could have been in better circumstances that I see my first Little Auk.....thanks for showing us!

 

[pstraughan]

This is another bird that I seem destined not to see. I went to Norfolk this time last year. There was apparently a Little Auk on site but the relevant hide was so crowded with Twitchers and those who had settled down for the duration that I couldn't get in and so missed the bird.

They were reported on the North Kent coast 2 weeks ago but I was there on Saturday and they had gone. I did see 10 Snow Buntings though.

Pat

 

[dafi]

Hello pat we had a single snow bunting yesterday and that was in an area where there were two hundred a few days before. But i count myself lucky as im allways missing snow buntings. There are still wee auks about actively feeding but i think thay will be mostly moving away now the big winds have eased.
Heres a fuzzy snowbunting shot from yesterday.
This sad effort is my best shot of them so far.....lol

 

[Keith Dickinson]

Hi Dafi, I had my best views of little auk the other week in the Bridlington area of Yorkshire, loads of birds many really close in shore and sadly we too finished the day by finding a little corpse on Flamborough Head. Not offended by the picture at all as it lets people see this truly amazing little birds and shows how tiny it actually is.

 

[pie]

Hi Dafi,
Same here, not offended, just sad. I wonder what caused it?
Well done with the Snow Bunting, I'm hoping to find one on Wednesday (if it's still there)
Hope your next sighting of a Little Auk is happier
Bye for now.

 

[dafi]

Hi Pie
I think its just natural causes weeding out the weak. They have been pushed a long way south before savage and sustained N and N/W gales for days probably unable to feed. I supose weaker ones settle where they can find shelter then peg out.Its easy to find the victims dotted about the shore at the moment. I found one on the edge of Kirkwall the other day,all that was left were two wings a breast bone and one leg. Theres a lot of attritition out there!!