Little Auk wrecked on beach at Sheppey, Kent

[Martin]

Picked up this Little Auk yesterday (24th November) on Sheppey, Kent whilst looking for Snow Buntings. Unfortunately it was obviously in a bad way and died about 30 minutes later. But it's only when you have such a magical bird in the hand like this that you realise how small they are, how beautiful they are and what courageous little chaps they are living where they do. You have my admiration little one. Does he require burial at sea?

http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/media/little-auk-1107.jpg

http://www.surfbirds.com/mb/media/little-auk-1107a.jpg

[Bobolink44]

poor little fellow - had been a bogey bird of mine for a long time - still never seen one this close. burial at sea seems fitting.

[Hirundo]

thanks for sharing the photos

[timmyjones]

Shame he looks in preety good condition must have flown a long way. Burial at sea sounds right.

[Firstlight]

Sad that the only time we see wild creatures up close is when we trap them or they are dead/dying.
Normally if I find a dead bird which is reasonablly fresh, I try to take some images of it, or a least some dimensions ie length, wing span, beak/leg/wing or details of body part colours which may be of use to others.
As to its final resting place, consign it to the deep, where it was once in its element.
regards Firstlight.

[Colin Key]

Sad end to a beautiful little bird Martin. Coincidentally, I saw my first Little Auk on Sheppey about sixteen years ago; it was quite close in and near to the "Blockhouse" just beyond the row of 'orrible cottages at Shell Ness where I also was looking for (and found) Snow Buntings and Shore Larks. Magic place.

Colin

[docmartin]

I know it's WAYYYYYyy too late now, but these sorts of decent corpses really should go to a museum, where the specimen would be available for studies on moult, subspecific identity, origin. Chucking it back in the sea is a bit of a waste.

[Rafi]

:certifiable:I love little auks they are one of my favorite birds it is so sad to see one has been wrecked!:certifiable:

[Colin Key]

:certifiable:I love little auks they are one of my favorite birds it is so sad to see one has been wrecked!:certifiable:

Yes, I like Little Auks, but I hate Little Oiks. :wideeyed: