Hi, my wife and I spotted a Puffin/Penguin like creature today on the sands at low tide on the Severn Estuary. We only had our mobile phones with us so we went back for our binoculars and my long lens camera but it had gone. I’d love to know if anyone can help identify this bird from this grainy photo which you have zoom in on.
Hi Steve, very difficult to make out much detail even zooming in. It looks too upright for a Puffin - you mentioned it was penguin like - and it appears to have an all black head.
My guess would be a Common Guillemot as below.
Another possibility is a Razorbill.
I would emphasise these are guesses. Strange place to see either of these species but they both breed on Lundy which is not that far away. Hope this helps
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream
I can't zoom it in very much, Tony, but was wondering if it could be a seal, tail on to us, lying down, and the angle makes it look "upright birdie"? Looks a long way away, and the birds are quite small for that distance? Of course, I'm guessing even more than you are
I hadn't thought of that, PB. It would be less unusual for a seal to be in that location.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a peregrine. Would explain no other birds in the photo.
stealthybutnotthatstealthy said:I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a peregrine.
Good thought. I've seen a Peregrine at Slimbridge sitting on the bank of the Severn. We need some feedback from Steve.
Another possibility is Shelduck. These are common in the Severn Estuary and at extreme distance can look white and black(ish).
I’m certain it’s not a Peregrine, all though I’ve not seen one in the flesh I’ve seen buzzards, kestrels etc. I’ve also thought maybe razorbill or guillemot, because of Lundy not far away but had a white back as well as frontBut if you look in the foreground the white shapes are gulls there were many (although not in shot) on the fringes of the photo not captured. Again not a seal, seen many in the Scillys. Attached is a photo the wife took from a slightly different angle not much different but a bigger background showing gulls and rooks for scale.
Yes but a Shelduck doesn’t sit upright as an Auk does and this was definitely sat upright like an Auk
That second photo supports peregrine imo.
From the photos I would definitely agree with you but the photos don’t show as clearly as what our eyes saw, that’s the most frustrating part! There was no trace of colour eithe from the face (if it was puffin) or from the feet if it was Peregrine. I can only hope to look again tomorrow. But alas birds don’t fir with our agendas!