Guillemots are found on all arctic coastlines

Photo by Yuri Smityuk / Tass

This Guillemot was photographed in Avacha Bay, on the southeast coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. in the north Pacific Ocean.   While this Guillemot appears to be taking a running start to get itself airborne, this waterbirds is quite able to quickly leap into the air, whether on the ground or in the water.   The guillemot is classified as 'Least Concerned' (LC) on the IUCN Red List, however it is susceptible to ingestion and biomagnification of marine pollution because it takes prey from shallow water or at the sea floor.   The Cornell Lab of Ornithology says studies have shown accumulation of mercury, pesticides, and cruse oil residue in body tissues and eggs.   Oiling of feathers from spills at sea usually result in death.

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Barry Wallace