Fair Isle beachcombing finds – Species spotlight

Once a month we will be sharing a marine species reported via the Fair Isle Marine WhatsApp group. This group is a space for community members and visitors to the isle to share any interesting marine finds. These reports also contribute to marine species records for Fair Isle to help monitor changes in biodiversity.

This month we need your help!

This black guillemot (know locally as a tystie) was seen munching on this unknown fish species. A few suggestions were provided via the Fair Isle Marine WhatsApp group including a dragonet, long spined sea scorpion, 15 spined stickle back or pogge. We think the latter, pogge (Agonus cataphractus) is most likely to be the fish in question.

Please let us know if you have any idea or suggestions!

Black guillemots (tysties) are a species of seabird from the auk family. Black guillemots are identifiable by their bright red feet and black and white plumage. They also have a black external beak which they use to feed on fish and crustaceans.

There are approximately 19,000 breeding pairs of black guillemots in the UK. They nest along the east coast of Fair Isle in crevices, small caves and under boulders and feed relatively close to the shore.

Alex Penn