Little Auk

Yet another Little Auk stranded on Nairn Beach this morning. A local dog walker brought me this Little Auk he found on central beach, it was exhausted and appears to have been blown off course with many other sea birds in recent days. 

These Arctic birds usually live and feed on plankton on the open sea during winter. It remains to be seen if it will survive.
UPDATE: In spite of my best efforts, sadly the Little Auk died within a few hours.

Little Auk Dies - Puffin in fact !

UPDATE : I have just heard from the RSPB that the bird was in fact a young Puffin although the beak and colouring have not yet developed ! This might explain the chest injury if it fell /dived onto rocks - very sad anyway.

Sadly the little Auk found at the carse yesterday died at Midnight. It had an injury to the chest which I only discovered on inspection after it had died. Beneath the feathers was a wet patch which I thought was because it was always laying down on it's chest, there was a small tear in the skin and small hole, maybe caused by another bird or maybe an airgun - who knows. I had phoned my friend and Avian adviser Sue earlier for her advice. She consulted a seabird expert who recommended feeding the bird with sprats until strong enough for release. Sadly all in vain now.