Bird from lake ambushed by cunning, circling cat (9)

I believe the answer is:

guillemot

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'bird' is the definition.
(guillemot is a kind of bird)

'lake ambushed by cunning circling cat' is the wordplay.
'lake' becomes 'L' (geographical abbreviation).
'ambushed by' indicates putting letters inside (ambush can mean to trap).
'cunning' becomes 'guile' (synonyms).
'circling cat' becomes 'mot' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'l' put inside 'guile' is 'guille'.
'guille'+'mot'='GUILLEMOT'

'from' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for guillemot that I've seen before include "Diving bird" , "Fisher" , "Seabird" , "Diver" , "cliff-ledge nester" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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