ID TIP!
Remember, auks, in common with many birds, have very different summer and winter plumages.
Winter auks
It is possible to encounter five species of auk around our coasts in winter. That said, winter Puffins are scarce, and Little Auks are also very uncommon, although in certain years are more numerous or even regular, especially on North Sea coasts, depending on the weather conditions.
Guillemot
• Larger auk • Black above, white below • Longish, thin, pointed bill • Black line behind eye • Short tail Black Guillemot
• Small auk species • Palish above, white below • Short, thin, pointed bill • No line behind eye • White oval on wing Razorbill
• Larger auk • Black above, white below • Short, ‘flattened’, blunt bill • Short black line behind eye…