southend pier & railway

The razorbill is a sleek, black-and-white seabird that occasionally visits the waters near Southend Pier during the winter months. It has a striking black back and head, contrasted with a white belly, and its thick, blunt bill is marked with a distinctive white line during the breeding season. Razorbills are exceptional swimmers, using their wings to "fly" underwater in pursuit of fish like sand eels. 

While they breed along rocky cliffs, they spend much of the year at sea, venturing closer to shore in winter. Though less common near the pier, they can sometimes be spotted resting on the water or diving for food. Their compact shape and precise, darting movements make them an exciting find for patient observers.