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Razorbills on the Rise
Mon 4th Aug, 2025
This is my eleventh year of leading coastal Seabird and Whale boat trips from Staithes along the beautiful Jurassic coastline of the North York Moors National Park.
July and early August are one of my favourite times of year as large numbers of auks; young Atlantic Puffins, Guillemots and Razorbills gather on the sea to raise their young.
Atlantic Puffin juvenile - Staithes © Richard Baines
During these years we have enjoyed many fascinating trips watching these wonderful birds. Auk numbers this summer have been dominated by Razorbills. A noticeable change from last year which was dominated by Guillemots especially in July. It’s a mystery why there has been a difference but maybe we have simply missed the big Guillemot days.
Razorbill adult and juvenile - Staithes © Richard Baines
Both species stay inshore where we find large numbers on the sea within 1 mile of the coast. Puffin chicks on the other hand tend to feed further out from the shore where there is less risk of being eaten by gulls. On our boat trip on the 31st July, we saw well over 1000 Razorbills on the sea between Sandsend and Staithes, an amazing sight. There are big numbers of small fish in coastal waters at this time of year which creates a perfect place for a Razorbill and Guillemot nursery.
I really enjoy learning about bird behaviour. Watching these birds up close at sea reveals fascinating insights into their lives.
Razorbill adult and juvenile - Staithes © Richard Baines
It takes between 15 and 25 days for Razorbill chicks to leave the nest after the egg hatches. Many of the Razorbills we saw on the sea had one small chick or a larger juvenile in attendance.
Razorbill males have the responsibility of looking after their chicks after fledging. The females stay on the cliffs for several weeks after the male leaves with the chick. Interestingly the males keep their small juvenile away from other auks in the first few days or weeks after fledging a behaviour we have noticed on our trips.
Razorbill adult and juvenile - Staithes © Richard Baines
As time moves on and the chicks become older in late July, we have noticed large groups of Razorbills congregating on the sea. The adults must be feeling more confident to bring their chicks closer to other Razorbills. On the 31st July we were surrounded by Razorbills with over 200 birds calling and diving for food very close to the boat. They have the ability to dive to up to 120 meters to find food. It was great to see them feeding and calling en masse!
We could hear the adults making a low grunting sound. The juveniles were begging for food and keeping in contact with their fathers with a higher pitch squeak.
Razorbill adult at the nest - Bempton RSPB © Richard Baines
The great majority of these Razorbills will have originated from the Flamborough and Filey Coast Special Protection Area (SPA). A whole colony count in 2022 revealed 45,780 individual Razorbills. Staithes is approximately 35 miles from Filey and almost 40 miles from Flamborough.
It’s amazing to think that before they can fly these Razorbill and Guillemot chicks must have paddled all the way from the SPA to the coast of Staithes with their fathers. If you’re a Bempton Razorbill that’s 40 miles of paddling! And you can’t fly away from your chick otherwise a gull may eat your offspring. The fathers must have to be so patient during this period.
Even more amazing is the fact that these young Razorbills will now spend the next 3-5 years at sea before they are old enough to breed. They will then migrate to a seabird colony where they will start their first nesting season.
We still have a small number of places left on our Seabird and Whale Trips. To see all the details and to book CLICK HERE
YCN Director and Wildlife Guide