Great Auks

Sadly now extinct great auks were flightless seabirds related to puffins, razorbills and guillemots. The last known breeding site for the great auk was the island of Eldey off the coast of south west Iceland and perhaps the last two birds were killed there in early June 1844.

We run a splendid birdwatching tour for the Travelling Naturalist which pays homage to this magnificent bird and visits the sites inhabited by great auks and which are still home to countless numbers of seabirds. There are still some places on this year's tour which starts on the 28 May.