Gallery - Birds of the Sea

Ducks (Anatidae)

Ducks are usually smaller in size and have shorter necks than Geese and Swans. The two sexs have different plumage. Ducks nest on the ground or in holes.There are three main groups of ducks.(1) Surface feeding or dabbling ducks (2)Diving ducks (3) Sawbills

Eider (Somateria mollissima)

The Eider has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

This marine diving duck breeds around rocky coasts of northern Europe and winters only a little farther south. It tears mussles from rocks with its strong bill.

Scaup (Aythya marila)

The Scaup is a Red list species-serious conservation concern.

The Scaup is a diving duck which breeds further north than other diving ducks, comming south for the winter months.it feeds on a variety of food including mussels which it takes off the sea-bed.

Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis)

Rare transatlantic vagrant,simlar to Scaup but smaller and rather darker-backed with peaked rear crown. dull purple gloss and shorter white wing bar.

Common Scoter (Melanitta nigra)

The Common Scoter is a Red list Species-High Conservation Concern.

Despite belonging to a group of "Sea ducks" the Common Scoter often nests among the vegetation of the Artic Tundra. In the winter though it flocks to insore waters along the Atlantic coasts.

Gannet (Sulidae)

Although they have webbed feet, they are not habitual swimmers. Belong to the order Pelecaniformes.

Gannet (Sula bassana)

The Gannet has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Birds of the open ocean, Gannets breed on small islands and steep cliffs off the NW coast of Europe and winter at sea. Gannets feed on fish by plunge diving from 25m and nest in large, noisy colonies. The nest is made up of a pile of seaweed.

Auks (Alcidae)

These are medium-sized seabirds with long, barrel-shaped bodies, short tails, very small wings and short legs set far back on the body. Most can hardly walk, but stand upright on cliff ledges where they come to breed each spring. They fly low and fast with whirring wings and poor manoeuvrability, but they are excellent swimmers and divers, using their wings to 'fly' underwater.

Razorbill (Alca torda)

The Razorbill has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Breeds on sea cliffs laying there eggs in between boulders and crevicies.The Razorbill spends the rest of the year out at sea where it feeds on fish which it chases underwater.

Guillemot (Uria aalge)

The Guillemot has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

Large colonies of this peguin like seabird breed on dramatic seacliffs like Bempton on the north east coast of England.After breeding it spends the rest of the year at sea. When feeding it chases fish underwater. The single egg is layed on a cliff edge or flat rock.

Black Guillemot (Cepphus grylle)

The Black Guillemot is an Amber list species-Medium conservation concern.

This Guillemot feeds closer to the shore and is less colonial than other members of the auk family.It feeds on fish which are caught by diving and nests in crevices in sea-cliffs, among boulders and in holes in buildings.

Puffin (Fratercula arctica)

The puffin has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

This attractive seabird is a summer visitor to islands and sea cliffs in NW Europe,for the rest of the year it lives on the open sea.Fish are caught by diving and swimming underwater.Puffins nest in colonies in burrows.

Fulmar,Petrels and Shearwaters (Procelleriiformes)

The Fulmar and Shearwaters(family Procellariidae) and Petrels(family Hydrobatidae) form the Order Procellariiforms.They are ocean birds that normally come ashore only to breed. They may then be seen in colonies on coastal cliffs and islands.Some Shearwaters are southern birds that visit European waters when migrating.

Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis)

The Fulmar has been clasified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

A seabird related to the albatrosses which nests on cliffs and buildings near the sea. They feed from the surface or plunge dive for crustaceans,fish and offal.

European Storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)

The Storm Petrel is a Amber Listed species-Medium conservation concern.

Breeds on isolated, rat free islands around the coasts of Britian,Ireland and the western Mediterranean.In winter it spends the time out at sea as far south as the Cape of Good Hope. This bird feeds mainly on crustanceans and squid picked from the surface of the sea and will often follow ships to find such food disturbed or killed by the ships propellers.

Wilsons Storm petrel (Oceanites oceanius)

Breeds on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands around South Pole and winters at sea. found as far north as Newfoundland and the western approaches to the UK.

Manx Shearwater (Puffinus puffinus)

The Manx Shearwater is a Amber list Species-Medium conservation concern.

Breeds in colonies in burrows on islands and clifftops, is the commonest European Shearwater

Sooty Shearwater (Puffinus griseus)

The Sooty Shearwater is a Amber list species-Medium conservation concern.

Dark all over, narrow wings, breeds in South Atlantic in winter and visits North atlantic in summer and autumn.

Gulls

Gulls have broad wings and fan-shaped tails and their beaks are usually heavy with a hooked tip. They can be seen in flocks at the seashore and at harbours. To feed, they settle on the water and seize some floating waste or dip their heads under water to catch a fish.Also often found on rubbish tips.

Kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla)

The Kittiwake has been classified as a Amber list species-medium conservation concern.

A true sea gull, nesting in large noisy colonies on precipitous cliffs and spending the rest of the year at sea.. nests are cemented to cliff ledges with seaweed and droppings.

Skuas (Stercorariidae)

Skuas are fast flying sea birds with hooked beaks,they will take on all other sea birds and have been known to down a Gannet and will also chase seabirds to make them drop their catch to eat themselves.

Great Skua (Stercorarius skua)

Nests among grass or heather on moors and spends winter out to sea,may be seen at coast on migration in spring and autumn.

© Simon Thurgood 2010
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