Huettmann, F., Diamond, A.W., Dalzell, B. & MacIntosh, K. 2005. Winter distribution, ecology and movements of Razorbills Alca torda and other auks in the outer Bay of Fundy, Eastern Canada. Marine Ornithology 00: 161-171.

Casual observations between 1992 and 1997 indicated that up to 25,000 Razorbills may occur around Grand Manan Island, Bay of Fundy, from December to February—numbers far exceeding those of local breeders. Standardized surveys conducted on 26 days between November 1997 and March 1998 revealed up to 52,000 auks of five species, mostly Razorbills, off Grand Manan. Birds were concentrated near the Old Proprietor Shoals. No similar or larger number of wintering Razorbills has been reported for North America. Offshore profile surveys of Old Proprietor Shoals and concurrent land-based counts were carried out in 1998-1999 to investigate further the extent of auk distribution and the timing and magnitude of movements in winter. Large numbers of Razorbills (mean 10,616 per survey) were recorded, especially in mid-January. Bird movement caused wide fluctuations in numbers among surveys. We conclude that a significant proportion of Razorbills breeding in North America spend at least part of the winter in the outer Bay of Fundy and in its coastal zone (i.e., less than 8 km offshore). Thus, this population may be more concentrated spatially in winter than during the breeding season. Seventy-six percent of 21 Razorbill stomachs collected in 1999 contained krill. We suggest that Razorbills, like many other wide-ranging marine predators in winter, are often concentrated in relatively small areas where predictable concentrations of prey occur.

Key words: Razorbills Alca torda, lower Bay of Fundy, Grand Manan Island, wintering auks, Old Proprietor Shoals, coastal seabirds