Razorbills and Common Murre on Bornholm
I took a short hike at Hammeren on the Danish island of Bornholm this week, mostly to see whether the Razorbills and Common Murres had settled on the cliffs for their usual June activity. They had — along the coastline’s steep cliffs, diving, and shuttling back and forth.
Both species are classic cliff breeders. Bornholm is one of the few places in Denmark where you can see them, and Hammeren’s cliffs gives a rare opportunity to see these birds up close.
Photographing them in harsh summer sun is always a challenge. Their black‑and‑white plumage pushes the dynamic range to its limits, and the angles along the cliffs don’t leave much room to adjust.
I ended up slowly sliding down a hillside to reach a better vantage point — not ideal for anyone with a fear of heights, but manageable if you stay low and move carefully.
Still, a few frames worked, and here are two of them. Both shot with my Sony A1 and Sony 200-600 mm lens. Shutter at 1/4000 – these birds are fast!
Tip 1: One practical advantage for photographers is their flight pattern. These birds often circle the same routes along the cliff line, so if a Razorbill passes and you miss the shot, patience usually pays off — it will likely come back, or another will follow the same path.
Tip 2: On the map below I’ve highlighted the best place to photography the birds. Follow the path from Hammeren Harbour (Danish: Hammerhavn) and slide carefully down the hill at this spot. Remember, it is quite a fall, so stay away from the cliff edge and be carefull – stay seated.
