UK Wildlife

Little Auk Winter Visitor from Arctic

The little auk is a tiny seabird that breeds in enormous numbers in the High Arctic and can be driven to UK shores by winter gales, sometimes in spectacular 'wrecks' of storm-blown birds.

Key Facts

Little auk breeds in colonies of millions in Svalbard and Greenland
UK birds are non-breeding winter visitors, usually well offshore
Atlantic gales can drive birds inshore in 'wrecks' sometimes including hundreds
Smaller than a starling - the smallest UK seabird species
Feeds on zooplankton and small crustaceans by diving in Arctic seas

Welfare Considerations

Storm-wrecked little auks reaching shore are often exhausted and may need rescue. Oiled birds cannot survive at sea. Climate change affecting Arctic sea ice and zooplankton distribution may affect the enormous Arctic breeding populations.

What You Can Do

Report storm-wrecked little auks to wildlife rescue organisations
Record little auk sightings through BTO Birdtrack
Support Arctic conservation programmes that protect little auk breeding habitat