Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Dead Razorbills



The Razorbill (Alca torda) is a colonial seabird that only comes to land in order to breed. Or after it died. On February 16 2016, we noticed no fewer than 7 fresh Razorbill carcasses on just under 3 kilometers of tide line at the height of Praia Poço da Cruz and Areao (Aveiro, Portugal). I suspect a period of stormy weather that occurred here a few days ago took its toll and the birds affected were local wintering individuals that reside there not far offshore. I wonder what the situation is on other Portuguese beaches.