British wildlife recordings

Alca torda : Razorbill - Alcidae

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  • Type

    sound

  • Duration

    00:02:03

  • Shelf mark

    W1CDR0001424 BD7

  • Subjects

    Birds

  • Recording date

    1965/05/19

  • Recording locations

    Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire: OS Grid Reference(173500,205500)

  • Recordist

    Shove, Lawrence

  • Species

    Razorbill, Alca torda

  • Description

    A pair of razorbills calling, recorded on Skokholm Island, Pembrokeshire. During March, razorbills start returning from the open sea and form breeding colonies along the coastal cliffs of Britain and Ireland (the exception being southeastern areas).They produce a growling ‘caarrr’ and can easily be identified by their distinct black-white plumage and heavy black bill. As with all seabirds, marine conditions such as pollution and fish stocks have a huge effect on the success of razorbills. Although they are not endangered, razorbills are classed as an Amber List species.

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