LITTLE AUKS IN LINCOLNSHIRE by Mike Tarrant
Auks, in general, are pelagic in nature and only come to the cliffs during the breeding season. Little Auks breed mainly on high arctic islands such as Spitzbergen and after the breeding season find food in the Arctic Ocean. They are, however, susceptable to bad weather, especially strong northerly winds, which cause them either to move or be blown south to areas where they would normally be uncommon. The lack of food, in combination with a strong northerly airstream pushes them south into the North Sea and November seems to be the best month to see this diminutive auk in Lincolnshire.
Some years, as in 1994, none is recorded in the county (Lincs Bird Report) whereas in other years, numbers hardly reach double figures but when conditions are right for us, but wrong for the birds, we can see hundreds off our coastline.
In the last twenty years, three were memorable for large numbers of Little Auks both off the Lincolnshire coast and inland, for it is a sad fact that many of the birds during these bumper years move inland, where they would not survive: they are also found as tideline corpses. Early November is a time of coincidence between Little Auks and Starlings. The Little Auks are being driven south in large numbers and Starlings are moving in from the continent in tight flocks of tens of birds low over the sea. Many Little Auks choose to join these starling flocks and fly with them as the starlings continue their journey inland. I have seen a small flock of Starlings crossing my path on the Lincolnshire Wolds with to my great surprise a Little Auk in hot pursuit just a few feet behind the flock, seemingly desparate to keep up with it. However, the Little Auk seems to have poor steering capabilities, usually flying in a direct line, and this one passed just inches in front of me !
1983, 1986 and 1995 were years which saw large numbers in the county. In 1983, 567 flew north at Donna Nook on October-29. In 1986, several observers were watching the sea on November-2 at Donna Nook, Saltfleetby and Huttoft and over 1,000 Little Auks were logged. In 1995, between October-29 and November-4, over 2,000 were seen, including a record day count of 730 flying north at Huttoft. There was a marked movement along the River Humber where a total of 282 was counted at Barton during the period. There is a reference in the Lincs Bird Report of a Little Auk feeding on biscuits at North Cotes on November-5!
Photo.1
A small flock of Little Auks flying north at Huttoft in November-1986. © Mike Tarrant
Photo No.2
A physically-weakened Little Auk, probably through lack of food, at the tide-edge at Huttoft, November-1987. © Mike Tarrant
Photo No.3
An inland casualty Little Auk at Covenham Reservoir in February-1988 © Mike Tarrant
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