Salmon Fishing Scotland Guillemots on the River Tay September 2012.

Salmon Fishing Scotland Guillemots on the River Tay September 2012.

Over the last few weeks we have been seeing a number of Guillemots on the Tay in Perthshire, Scotland which has not been unusual. Normally when there are strong winds in the west a number of these birds get blown over into the Tay system and if they are strong enough they follow the river back to the sea. Recently however we have encountered severe storm force winds on the East coast and these birds are coming into the river completely confused and traveling up the river then floating back down exhausted. This seems to be a new phenomenon for us and seems hard to comprehend.
These are a few pictures taken over the last couple of days.

A couple floating back down river exhausted.

A couple flying up past the boat in Horsey.

If anyone can give us more information on this it would be most welcome.

Some facts about the Guillemot from the RSPB.
Latin name

Uria aalge

Family
Auks (Alcidae)

Overview

The UK's coasts have many stretches of sheer cliffs where seabirds breed and the guillemot is one of the most numerous birds in the great 'seabird cities'. It comes to land only to nest, spending the rest of its life at sea, where it is vulnerable to oil spills. Dark brown and white, not as black as the similar razorbill, it has a 'bridled' form with a white ring round the eye and stripe behind it.

Where to see them

Found on small areas of cliffs on the south coast of England, very locally on the coasts and islands of Wales and in a handful of places in the north of England and Northern Ireland; more widely spread on cliffs of Scotland. RSPB nature reserves such as Bempton Cliffs in Yorkshire, Fowlsheugh in Grampian and Marwick Head in Orkney have large colonies. In winter it is widespread around UK coasts but usually well offshore. It is sometimes seen inshore after gales or passing by longer headlands.
When to see them

Guillemots are best seen at the nesting colonies, from March to the end of July

What they eat

Fish and crustaceans

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