Pontische Meeuwen Larus cachinnans op de Nederlandse Noordzee

Contrary to many seabirds in the North Sea, auks are rarely seen in close association with vessels. In January 2012, however, Razorbills were persistently following a survey vessel off the Dutch coast and were seen pursuit plunging in its wake. Together with mainly Black-legged Kittiwakes and occasionally joined by Common Guillemots, they were feeding on small silvery round fish. Similar behaviour was reported from ships in Belgian waters, and elsewhere in Dutch waters, i.e. further offshore at the Brown Ridge and north of the Wadden Sea. In addition, ship-following Razorbills were seen at various locations along the Dutch shoreline, by seawatchers and other observers from 9 January to 2 February 2012). This unusual feeding method seems inefficient due to the high energetic costs of repeated take offs, flight and landings, and it is a potentially dangerous technique (risks of predation and injury). Why these Razorbills showed this unusual behaviour remains unclear, but a link with the wreck that occurred at the same time is likely (starving birds looking for alternative foraging opportunities). Interestingly, Black-legged Kittiwakes and Little Gulls showed no interest in Razorbills feeding away from the ship (as they normally do), suggesting Razorbills were not chasing prey towards the surface. A series of heavy storms in weeks prior to these observations may have weakened the birds by increasing water turbidity, which could have reduced the availability of small, shoaling, pelagic fish. Strong turbulence in the wake of the ship, commonly used as a foraging opportunity by (small) gulls and terns, may now have been more attractive for the starving auks.