Guillemot (Uria aalge)
Description
The Guillemot is the commonest of the resident UK Auks. It’s similar in size and appearance to the Razorbill. However, the head and bill are distinctively different with the Guillemot having a more slender, triangular head and slim, pointed bill. As with all Auks, the Guillemot is a master swimmer and can dive to over 50 metres in persuit of it’s diet of small fish.
In Summer, the Guillemot has dark upperparts which in the South are choclate brown colour, becoming darker towards the North and almost black in the Shetlands. In the winter, the white underparts spread to the neck, chin and sides of the head although the cap remains dark as does the indented line behind the eyes. The image above shows the bridled form which has the white eye ring with thin stripe behind, resembling spectacles. The Bridled form increases in frequency from South to North.
Flight
Fast and low over the water. Quite powerful but not particularly agile.
Call
Prolonged growls and moaning.
Habitat
Breeds on cliff ledges. Spends rest of year at sea.
Where to find Guillemot
The largest colonials occur further North, particulary in Scotland, such as in Orkney. Moving South, a large colony exists at the RSPB Reserve at Bempton Cliffs, Yorkshire. In the South, Durlston Country Park near Swanage has the second largest colony on the South Coast. As Guillemots spend a lot of time at sea, the best time to view them is during the breeding season which is mid-May to August.