tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66936456563992083702024-03-05T02:35:58.349-08:00Pickings From The Chum SlickTasty morsels of pelagic birding news brought to you by OceanWanderers.com, the web site of Angus Wilson.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-14991938270224997382013-07-02T06:49:00.001-07:002013-07-02T06:50:44.903-07:00Tim Worfolk discusses the naming of Soft-plumaged Petrel<span style="background-color: #f3f3f3; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="http://2birdtheory.blogspot.com/2013/06/why-is-it-called-soft-plumaged-petrel.html?spref=bl">The Two Bird Theory: Why is it called Soft-plumaged Petrel?</a> A short and thoughtful discussion by Tim Worfolk - illustrator for the upcoming <i style="line-height: 18px;">Albatrosses, Petrels and Shearwaters of The World: A Handbook to their Taxonomy, Identification, Ecology and Conservation</i><span style="line-height: 18px;"> with </span><span style="line-height: 18px;">Hadoram Shirihai and Vincent Bretagnolle. Includes a sneak peek at one of his plates.</span></span>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-45508409423059383322012-08-01T12:40:00.000-07:002012-08-01T12:46:06.656-07:00Multiple Band-rumped (Madeiran) Storm-Petrels off Long Island, NY<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">T</span></b>he highlight of an offshore fishing trip this past weekend (28-29 July
2012) by John Shemilt, Keegan Corcoran and myself was the discovery of six
or seven<b> BAND-RUMPED STORM-PETRELS</b> [aka Madeiran Storm-Petrels]. This was
over very deep water (c.4,500 ft) at the continental shelf edge some 92 miles SSE of Shinnecock Inlet on eastern Long Island. After stumbling upon
one bird in the late afternoon we hurriedly dropped a chum slick that
<br />
quickly drew in the others. These were watched and photographed for close
to an hour before the evening light became too poor for photography and
word of fish biting nearby drew us away.
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Also present over the slick were 70 or more <b>WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS</b> and a
single <b>LEACH'S STORM-PETREL</b>, affording ideal comparisons. Although the
number of sightings is definitely on the increase, Band-rumped Storm-Petrel
remains a significant rarity in New England and adjacent the Mid-Atlantic
States. Whether this is due to changes in marine conditions or more
consistent access by birders to deep offshore waters is hard to gauge. In
New York, the species has been photographed only once before (6 Aug 2011,
John Shemilt), a few miles north of this more recent encounter.
<br />
<br />
The numbers of birds seen on this overnight trip were lower than we
expected, with totals of 16 <b>GREAT SHEARWATER</b>, 3 unidentified large
Shearwater, 1 <b>MANX SHEARWATER</b>, 1 <b>AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER</b>, 26 <b>LEACH'S
STORM-PETREL</b> and 330 <b>WILSON'S STORM-PETREL</b>. Our only <b>CORY'S
SHEARWATER</b> were
5 birds seen inshore on the return trip, with two individuals less than 2
miles from the inlet. No offshore terns, gulls, jaegers, sulids, shorebirds
<br />
or passerines were seen.<br />
<br />
As is often the case in this area, we encountered some terrific marine mammals with several pods of <b>RISSO'S DOLPHINS</b> (70++ total), 10+ <b>SHORT-BEAKED
COMMON DOLPHINS</b>, 10+ <b>OFFSHORE BOTTLENOSE DOLPHIN </b>and 7 <b>FIN WHALE</b>. It
is equally gratifying to report that we tallied a mere 11 discarded helium
balloons; well below normal. Sadly this is probably a reflection of the
predominantly easterly winds rather than more responsible behavior by folks
onshore.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-11807279762075877522012-06-30T16:03:00.000-07:002012-07-01T11:44:57.978-07:00Sowerby's Beaked Whales and very early Audubon's Shearwaters off New York (24 June 2012)<span style="font-size: large;"><b>D</b></span>uring an offshore fishing trip last Sunday (24 June 2012), John Shemilt, Derek Rogers and I observed a pod of at least 7 <b>SOWERBY'S BEAKED WHALES</b> cruising for 10 minutes or more at the surface. We were about 88 miles SSE of Shinnecock Inlet, which is towards the eastern end of Long Island, New York. This location (39.730419°,
-71.646500°) is the at head of a deep submarine canyon (McMaster Canyon, aka Lobster Claw) that cuts into the continental shelf about midway between the larger Hudson and Block Canyons. Interestingly, in past few years there have been several sightings of Sowerby's in this section of the shelf edge, including some very nicely photographed examples of animals leaping and somersaulting, suggestive of a resident group. In our case, the whales were just cruising at the surface, disappearing briefly and then disappearing for good.<br />
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In the same general area we observed three separate pods of <b>Offshore Bottlenose Dolphins</b>, <b>Risso Dolphin</b> and 3 <b>Sperm Whales</b>. Several squid boats working the shelf
edge and apparently the tuna we sought were also feeding on squid, hence there was not too much
activity at the surface. Other cetaceans noted during the day were a <b>Fin Whale</b>, two more pods of
<b>Offshore Bottlenose</b> and some <b>Short-beaked Common Dolphins</b>. Three marine turtles were noted
but I need to review my photos to ID them.<br />
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Avian highlights were three exceptionally
early <b>Audubon's Shearwaters</b> (all in active molt, one especially ratty) and a <b>Leach's Storm-Petrel</b>. We do not normally see Audubon's in New York waters until August, so this encounter was unexpected. Otherwise, seabird numbers were relatively low (9 <b>Cory's Shearwaters</b>, 96 <b>Great Shearwaters</b>, 2 <b>Manx Shearwaters</b>, 138 <b>Wilson's Storm-Petrels</b>).<br />
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The most abundant sight throughout the day were party balloons. We must have seen more than 200 of different shapes and sizes. Who knows how far this terrible flying garbage had traveled to end up on the ocean where they poison the ecosystem. <br />
<br />
Cheers, Angus Wilson<br />
New York City, USAAngus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-25510818012627646742009-10-27T15:55:00.000-07:002009-10-27T17:41:28.166-07:00Announcement: Extreme Gadfly Petrel Expeditions<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwXH5e-Cm2n3zay9suybCHD840tetF59QWcGysCrqeqwsBndHS0NPyO55ZGje052a8k0P-0MBOTMqzGPqsx3RzD5g9si7vXllUzlA3mdyyI8f-JW_GJ3VmU5KOQbAcY9st-4n8Bbeq_A/s1600-h/Beck%E2%80%99s+Petrel,+PNG,+H.+Shirihai+%28c%29+copyright+images_088Q4006+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 361px; height: 223px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrwXH5e-Cm2n3zay9suybCHD840tetF59QWcGysCrqeqwsBndHS0NPyO55ZGje052a8k0P-0MBOTMqzGPqsx3RzD5g9si7vXllUzlA3mdyyI8f-JW_GJ3VmU5KOQbAcY9st-4n8Bbeq_A/s320/Beck%E2%80%99s+Petrel,+PNG,+H.+Shirihai+%28c%29+copyright+images_088Q4006+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397441529965322034" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:180%;">B</span>ackground: </span>The following challenging pelagic expeditions are being organised as part of the on-going <span style="font-weight: bold;">Tubenoses Project</span> (Shirihai, H. & Bretagnolle, V. In prep. Illus. by Cox J. Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters of the world: a handbook to their taxonomy, identification, ecology and conservation, A & C Black, London), and represent an effort to collect further data on the identification, variation, distribution and population sizes of some of the least known petrels on the planet.<br /><br />The expeditions listed below are non-commercial pelagic voyages with all participants, including the organisers, equally sharing the costs of chartering the vessels. The expeditions will be conducted in a similar manner to recent voyages that led to the rediscovery of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Beck’s Petrel</span> Pterodroma becki in 2007 in the Bismarck archipelago (Shirihai 2008), and the first pelagic observations of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Zino’s Petrel</span> Pterodroma madeira in April 2009, off Madeira (Shirihai 2009), and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fiji Petrel</span> Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi, off Gau Island, Fiji (Shirihai et al. 2009).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:180%;">Up-coming expeditions (2009):</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(1) Search for the Jamaican Petrel (presumed extinct) off Jamaica: </span>This voyage will run from 17th November to 1st December 2009, using a fast ocean-going boat. Depending on the weather conditions, we will spend 7 to 10 days at sea off Jamaica.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jamaican Petrel</span> had been described to science, when it promptly disappeared; its last confirmed record was in 1891, almost two decades after mongooses were believed introduced onto the main island of Jamaica. Hopes remain that a tiny population of Jamaican Petrels still survive in the extensive tracts of suitable forest habitat. Moreover, mongooses have not prevented Black-capped Petrels from breeding in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Several attempts have been made over the last decades to find the Jamaican Petrel on land, specifically in the Blue Mountains, without success. None of these expeditions have searched at sea, a proven strategy as described above.<br /><br />In preparation for this expedition, HS visited Jamaica (March-April 2009) to see habitats that might support a population of breeding petrels, and also viewed the breeding habitat of Black-capped Petrels in the Dominican Republic. HS and Vincent Bretagnolle have made a geographical survey (using satellite image maps and marine charts) and have analysed meteorological data for the region; parameters that contributed to the successful studies of Beck’s, Zino’s and Fiji Petrels at sea. From this analysis, a very specific oceanic corridor has been proposed that might be used by any Jamaican Petrels travelling to and from the island.<br /><br />The plan is to intensively search this area and to use 1.5 tons of chum that will be prepared by our ground team and a local fish factory. The material will be kept aboard ship in dedicated freezers.<br /><br />For logistical reasons, there is room for only 4 expedition members and currently there is only one spot available; the expedition share is US$7000.<br /><br />Please contact HS at albatross_shirihai@hotmail.com to sign on, or for further information about the voyage, its plans and conditions.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">(2) Search for the recently rediscovered Vanuatu Petrel in the remote Banks Group:</span> </span>This two-week voyage, 13th to the 28th December 2009, will use a 72ft. expedition research vessel sailing out of the port of Santo, Vanuatu.<br /><br />The <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vanuatu Petrel</span> Pterodroma occulta was collected in January 1927, by Rollo Beck (Whitney South Sea Expedition), though it was overlooked as a White-necked Petrel P. cervicalis until Imber and Tennyson (2001) drew attention to the fact that the specimens were distinctly smaller and represented an unrecognised species. Since then an additional specimen was found ashore in eastern Australia in 1983. The first at-sea record was of a bird observed by HS in January 2006 between New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Then in 2007, two/three birds were sighted off southern Vanuatu. There is recent evidence (still unpublished) that suggests a breeding population on at least one island in Vanuatu.<br /><br />In December 2009 we shall try to obtain further data on this population, both at sea and on several islands in the remote Banks group. Dr. Vincent Bretagnolle, Dr. Orian Shirihai and HS are the organisers of this expedition. Besides studying petrels and other seabirds, the expedition will seek out some of the landbirds of the islands and also study tribal customs of the indigenous islanders, including the use of alternative medicines.<br /><br />Only 7 expedition members can be accommodated on the vessel, the remaining space will be occupied by a set of huge freezers that will store two tons of chum for use during the planned mass chumming operations.<br /><br />To date there are 5 on board, and two more are welcome, at US$7000 per person. This rate will be discounted for students and those from conservation bodies to US$5000 per person.<br /><br />Please contact directly HS at albatross_shirihai@hotmail.com to sign up, or for further information about the voyage plans and conditions.<br /><br />Expeditions planned for 2010 & 2011 (with further information on the following to be posted nearer the times):<br /></div><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2010:</span></span><br /></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXb1RhP4ugaqf2Z2CVsBrCkeWQ-o6oS4Ua38R4YHC2BI2sKQcpucIGSlyX4JyqfLWeQgaoq4v9tF8CxpRlYmfbPcXaD0affk1jngJm93fMP1Y7iWRzKG1xCEMcRQeKSPpFyeepRQVS4M/s1600-h/Zino's+Petrel+off+Madeira,+April+2009+1N7J6637+The+Tubenoses+project+copyright+%C2%A9H.+Shirihai.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 285px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirXb1RhP4ugaqf2Z2CVsBrCkeWQ-o6oS4Ua38R4YHC2BI2sKQcpucIGSlyX4JyqfLWeQgaoq4v9tF8CxpRlYmfbPcXaD0affk1jngJm93fMP1Y7iWRzKG1xCEMcRQeKSPpFyeepRQVS4M/s320/Zino's+Petrel+off+Madeira,+April+2009+1N7J6637+The+Tubenoses+project+copyright+%C2%A9H.+Shirihai.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397442207134282546" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Off Madeira:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>To study Zino’s Petrel at sea, 20th-30th June (with Hadoram Shirihai & Tony Pym, and the organisation of Madeira Wind Birds).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Guadalupe Islands, Mexico:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>In search of the (believed extinct) Guadalupe Storm Petrel, March 2010 or 2011, with Hadoram Shirihai.<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">2011-12:</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Chatham Islands:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>In search of the Magenta Pterodroma magentae and Chatham Island Petrel P. axillaris (tentatively scheduled for Dec), and most of the local land-bird endemics. With Tony Pym & Hadoram Shirihai. For further information please contact Tony (tony_pym@hotmail.com).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Juan Fernández archipelago, Chile:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>For the three endemic eastern tropical Pterodroma (during Nov-Dec), namely Juan Fernandez Petrel Pterodroma externa, Stejneger's Petrel Pterodroma longirostris and Defilippi’s Petrel Pterodroma defilippiana; with the organisation and co-leadership of Ross Wanless (and Hadoram Shirihai for the work on petrels at sea). We will also endeavour to see the landbird endemics. For further information please contact Ross (rosswanless@gmail.com).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Eastern Tropical Pacific off Peru:</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153);"> </span>To study storm petrels (tentatively Jan 2011), with Hadoram Shirihai, and with the organisation of Gunnar Engblom (Kolibri Expeditions). For further information please contact Gunnar (kolibriexp@gmail.com).<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);">Off Reunion, Indian Ocean: </span>Seeking field knowledge on the poorly known Mascarene Petrel Pseudobulweria aterrima with Tony Pym and Hadoram Shirihai (expedition dates to be announced).<br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Regular updates on these expeditions will be posted on Seabird-News (Angus Wilson and/or Tony Pym) and the website of Kolibri Expeditions (Gunnar Engblom).</div>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-18501928086163120232009-10-23T11:34:00.000-07:002009-10-23T11:40:51.568-07:00New seabird blog from Greg Gillson in Oregon<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >G</span>reg Gillson (The Bird Guide Pelagics) has created a new blog called <a href="http://oregonseabirds.blogspot.com/">OREGON SEABIRDS</a> that focuses on seabirding along the west coast of North America, with emphasis on Greg's home state of Oregon. Check it out!Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-62641110921554966002009-05-23T10:02:00.000-07:002009-10-23T11:41:24.488-07:00Black-capped Petrel returns to the Azores?<span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >O</span>n 22 May 2009, a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Black-capped Petrel</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Pterodroma hasitata</span>) was photographed at sea <span class="brod13">by João Quaresma </span>some 5-6 miles south of Queimada, Pico. Interestingly, the first record for the archipelago was photographed off Graciosa on 26 May 2007. Photos of both birds are posted on the <a href="http://azores.seawatching.net/index.php?page=onespecies&id=199">Birding Azores</a> web site.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-68604019228706131412008-11-05T09:22:00.000-08:002008-11-05T09:51:11.420-08:00Salvin's Albatross found on Gough Island in South Atlantic<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhuEoAIQxonVD8jCC40yoX-vHGfc2cXIur-2A8d5oosogg_SyehIq_Zol3cIasUzMp6YJvXALF94QiMjJpueFDZ8Nl-9aE-JKWpXEXZCGRBm3HTF2xyCHHHxsDUIp9-drcpmjpq3tfrc/s1600-h/SalvinsAlby.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGhuEoAIQxonVD8jCC40yoX-vHGfc2cXIur-2A8d5oosogg_SyehIq_Zol3cIasUzMp6YJvXALF94QiMjJpueFDZ8Nl-9aE-JKWpXEXZCGRBm3HTF2xyCHHHxsDUIp9-drcpmjpq3tfrc/s400/SalvinsAlby.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265226391396070658" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">R</span></span>oss Wanless brings news of an adult SALVIN'S ALBATROSS (<span style="font-style: italic;">Thalassarche salvini</span>) in the Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross (<span style="font-style: italic;">T. chlororhynchos</span>) colony on Gough Island in the South Atlantic (-40.3207°, -9.92871°). Gough is part of the Tristan da Cunha archipelago. This photo was taken by Paul Visser, a biologist working on this remote island. The majority of Salvin's Albatrosses nest on the Bounty Islands in Sub-antarctic New Zealand, with smaller numbers on the Snares and a handful of pairs on Penguin Island in the Crozet Group (French Southern Territories) in the Indian Ocean. Salvin's occur in South African waters as non-breeders but are more numerous in the Pacific where they forage in the Humbolt Current as far north as Peru. To my knowledge, this is the first documented occurrence on land in the Atlantic Ocean. In Nov 2001, Javier Arata found an adult Salvin's with Black-browed Albatross (<span style="font-style: italic;">T. melanophrys</span>) on Gonzalo Island in the Diego Ramirez Group off southern Chile (2003 Notornis 50:169).Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-32281912664581890272008-10-05T19:41:00.000-07:002008-10-05T20:42:34.090-07:00Probable Trindade Petrel off Cape Verde Islands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HMRZtUsq5YMrdTf7624p05YcASBfpC1Eeag1eax7_u2pyYWf4ctt0Ucb5Vrg90rmkpjFVEieHYGYEsFVWnxz-5yz1PJVUwqypK34eCyugz4-SmlcGo0ZgvZAQ1Wj-oyNDcgB4pCmlgQ/s1600-h/petrel.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HMRZtUsq5YMrdTf7624p05YcASBfpC1Eeag1eax7_u2pyYWf4ctt0Ucb5Vrg90rmkpjFVEieHYGYEsFVWnxz-5yz1PJVUwqypK34eCyugz4-SmlcGo0ZgvZAQ1Wj-oyNDcgB4pCmlgQ/s400/petrel.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253866883720009794" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">M</span></span>ike Greenfelder, a naturalist with <a href="http://www.expeditions.com/">Lindblad Expeditions</a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.expeditions.com/"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMT1m_5X8zrNQw-0mKVXVh1z8k9W_I6Va3MPpu5xHiXAS3o18q6MSNsibUhtZB2c6e0WvnqkTTZfYgEL2zzwhp92cQC3qgnQJ7Hp21yWSpQ_ZaZRX7OlNYof9Czn0-Dvm9K52iv3_RaE/s400/6e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253866809327040434" border="0" /></a>, sent these three video grab images taken last month near Brava (Decimal coordinates 14.8507°, -24.705°) in the Sotavento (southern island group) of the Cape Verdes.<br /><br />The bird appears to be an intermediate-morph Trindade Petrel, <i>Pterodroma arminjoniana</i>. However, as Mike points out, Atlantic Petrel <i>Pterodroma incerta</i> is quite similar in overall patterning but shows less extensive white on the 'hand' of the underwing. Typically this is limited to a silvery sheen on the bases of the primaries. Furthermore, the bill does not strike me as chunky enough, nor the head rounded enough for Atlantic. Trindade Petrel nests in Brazilian waters and ranges regularly into Gulf Stream waters off east coast of the United States. In addition, there are at least two records from the Azores (18th July 1997 and 17th May 2006).<br /><br />Here are the pertinent comments from his email: "<span style="font-style:italic;">On Sept. 30 [2008] we were in Zodiacs 0.5 miles south of the southern tip of Brava Island in the Cape Verde group. We were watching Melon-headed whales in flat seas when a very interesting petrel flew around us. I didn't have a camera but our video guy shot video of it. I made a few stills, which I have attached. To me it looked like an Atlantic Petrel, but with white underwings. Trinidade Petrel is the best I have come up with, but there doesn't seem to be anything similar in range, so obviously an interesting sighting. Looks similar to Herald Petrel drawings, but I have heard that Atlantic may show some white in underwing with wear.</span>"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YPNIuNnkuNLi67DWZhHYlsUiLvgD8rQbHMtZDauzEUXl0MRorGWWhdIjs6TvZIlkY2Z7yiv-uXZqdh3OrWW4UVqSqxZq13WXA9m2QonD2byQ5AxYWTEbJgFRjeFhNW_ItJCFI4PtLoo/s1600-h/5e.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_YPNIuNnkuNLi67DWZhHYlsUiLvgD8rQbHMtZDauzEUXl0MRorGWWhdIjs6TvZIlkY2Z7yiv-uXZqdh3OrWW4UVqSqxZq13WXA9m2QonD2byQ5AxYWTEbJgFRjeFhNW_ItJCFI4PtLoo/s400/5e.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5253866718268579602" border="0" /></a>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-46791023951469462172008-08-31T14:58:00.000-07:002008-08-31T15:13:49.200-07:00Seawatch - Long Island, New York USA<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgsCvIJ_lik3rmdrC8MKLTG0BQnaY-6uPm7puobKaScsUpkxR6rCOjpYjCu6JZqm4SAm0sklV8Yx89yT__wfrD1EhPSpSyS9khspZpyfS8MRtlsO-_QvvvcoPnigfRQHxtfPpbIZn2Gs/s1600-h/BlackTern.9546.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgsCvIJ_lik3rmdrC8MKLTG0BQnaY-6uPm7puobKaScsUpkxR6rCOjpYjCu6JZqm4SAm0sklV8Yx89yT__wfrD1EhPSpSyS9khspZpyfS8MRtlsO-_QvvvcoPnigfRQHxtfPpbIZn2Gs/s400/BlackTern.9546.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240806445629334978" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">O</span></span>nce the rains had cleared this afternoon (30 August 2008), I toured some of the coastal spots between The Springs (Town of East Hampton) and Montauk Point (Google Coordinates 41.071900, -71.859000), Suffolk Co., Long Island. For this first time this summer terns were much in evidence, mostly <span style="font-weight: bold;">COMMON</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">ROSEATE TERNS</span> with fledged birds of the year, but an influx of <span style="font-weight: bold;">BLACK TERNS</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Chlidonias niger</span> <i>surinamensis </i>were the stars. After noting a Black Tern in Gardiner's Bay off Fireplace Beach, I found greater numbers in Napeague Bay (18) and on the Atlantic Ocean off Hither Hills (>50) and around Montauk Point (45). Smaller groups of terns, including more Black Terns, were found at several other spots. Shoals of Bluefish and Stripped Bass were actively feeding off Hither Hills and Montauk, the ocean seeming to boil in places because of the mass of predatory fish that were gorging on tiny bait fish (1-2 cm). This tiny prey was also being picked off by the terns hovering over the surface. At Montauk Point, some of the surf casters were hooking strippers and bluefish on every cast but I was pleased to see that most of fish went straight back in the water unscathed.<br /><br />On the ocean off the Hither Hills camp ground (41.010241, -72.007429), 5 <span style="font-weight: bold;">PARASITIC JAEGERS</span> were harassing a large congregation of Laughing Gulls and terns. When the piscine activity subsided, the jaegers pulled out within minutes of each other, flying eastwards relatively close to shore. I tentatively aged them as two 1st summers, 2 second/third summers and 1 molting adult. They kept going towards Ditch Plains and vanished into the sea mist. Very nice!<br /><br />However, the 'bird of the day' for me was a large <span style="font-weight: bold;">LEATHERBACK TURTLE</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Dermochelys coriacea</span> that surfaced 100 yards off the beach at an overlook at the western end of Montauk village. The view point is high enough that through a scope, I could see the ridges and barnacles on the marine turtle's back as well as its long black flippers and immense eyes. Loggerheads are not uncommon offshore in summer but it is a treat to see one from land.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">BLACK TERN - 118</span> (sum of high counts from various spots)<br />Forster's Tern - 5, Napeague, Montauk and Montauk Pt.<br />Common Tern - 1,550<br />Roseate Tern - 190++<br />Laughing Gull - 300<br />Northern Gannet - 1, Hither Hills<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PARASITIC JAEGER - 5</span>, Hither Hills then moved east.<br />Common Loon - 3, Hither Hills at edge of feeding frenzy<br /><br />Some other birds of note were:<br />Northern Harrier - 2, female-types, Hick's Island<br />Turkey - 9, Amagansett and Napeague<br />Solitary Sandpiper - 1, Deep Hollow Ranch Pond<br />Lesser Yellowlegs - 4, Rita's Stable Pond<br />Spotted Sandpiper - 4, Montauk area<br />Semipalmated Sandpiper - 2 Deep Hollow and Rita's<br />Black-bellied Plover - 20 incl. 1 at Deep Hollow (south side Rt 27)<br />Western Willet - 1, Napeague Harbor<br />Eastern Willet - 2, Napeague Harbor (late! noticeably shorter legged and darker than accompanying Western)<br />American Oystercatcher - 2, Napeague<br />Bobolink - 1 male, Promised Land Fish hatchery<br />Ruby-throated Hummingbird - 3, Montauk Point below restaurantAngus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-52003548000637901152008-08-13T19:25:00.000-07:002008-08-15T07:26:50.545-07:00Humpbacks and seabird bonanza in the Great South Channel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUydnKjGuocYRGrP5ijecScLjJXk06rW1xvVsoBimJodhkpqpfys5KgZ91CumucGsYqoSu_A5F62LoQCAzDvHWBNl2lp94AB4R5er49ElUq18bK_FfYapzrUc1hpI2YVku-91ub61_FM/s1600-h/Humpback.0305.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEUydnKjGuocYRGrP5ijecScLjJXk06rW1xvVsoBimJodhkpqpfys5KgZ91CumucGsYqoSu_A5F62LoQCAzDvHWBNl2lp94AB4R5er49ElUq18bK_FfYapzrUc1hpI2YVku-91ub61_FM/s400/Humpback.0305.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234750819634920322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >E</span>arlier this week, I joined the annual <a href="http://www.cresli.org/index.html">CRESLI</a> whale watching adventure to the Great South Channel, a gouge in the seabed that separates Cape Cod and the Nantucket Shoals from the western edge of George's Bank. This north-south passage is used by several species of whales in the spring and fall as they transiting between the hyper-productive waters of the Gulf of Maine and warmer but less bountiful waters of the mid-Atlantic and Gulf Stream.<br /><br />Organized by Dr. Artie Kopelman, this 51-hour trip aboard the 140 foot (42.7 meter) <a href="http://www.vikingfleet.com/">Viking Starship</a> departs from Montauk, NY and is designed to intercept female <span style="font-weight: bold;">Humpback Whales</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Megaptera novaeangliae</span> and calves of various ages as they feed intensively on herring and other small fish in anticipation of their southward migration to the tropics. This has to be one of the best opportunities to see, hear and dare I say it, smell, Humpbacks in the North Atlantic! One of Artie's most frequent calls over the PA system was, "we are officially surrounded by whales", his glee barely concealed. The unflagging enthusiasm of the CRESLI participants is equally impressive. Each and every whale encounter is greeted with the same unfettered excitement as the first - a rare thing in these jaded, 'I've seen it all', times.<br /><br />For our entire stay in the GSC, it was almost impossible to look around and not see a breaching animal or puff of blow. Even at night, the insomniacs were busily whalewatching by deck light as a group of inquisitive animals loafed alongside the Viking Starship, spinning lazy somersaults a few feet from the rail throughout the early hours. This amazing show continued well after dawn, with the youngsters rearing up out of the water to get a look at the peanut gallery of 'oohing and 'ahhing' spectators leaning over the rail, pocket cameras and coffee cups in hand. Although rich in plankton, the green water was still clear enough for us to see the white underparts and enormous flippers of the gyrating animals below us and we marveled at their ability to 'turn on a dime', breaking the surface with a squeaky puff on one side of the boat and then the other.<br /><br />Researchers from the <a href="http://whalecenter.org/">Whale Center of New England</a> were aboard, including Jennifer Tackaberry who manages the North Atlantic Humpback Whale catalog. Some 28 different individuals were photographed and Jen, who knows her catalog inside out, recognized 18 previously named individuals. At least three mother/calf pairs were studied at length to document the pairings, providing information about breeding success, reproductive rates and so on. The fact that at least 10 of the photographed whales were unfamiliar is particularly exciting, evidence perhaps of an influx from elsewhere. Further scrutiny of the images and databases may shed more light on this. We probably saw more whales than this but just did not have time to sit alongside each and get usable images of the raised tail flukes to allow unambiguous identification.<br /><br />Early in the trip we encountered a good-sized <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fin Whale</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Balaenoptera physalus</span>, a handful of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Short-beaked Common Dolphins</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Delphinus delphis</span> and on the second day, a highly cooperative pod of 30 or so <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pilot Whales</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Globicephala sp.</span> that swam alongside for a while, allowing their curious calves to peek at the boat. Eventually, the pod grew tired of us and simply vanished into the depths. With water temperatures in the mid-50's, I would predict these to be Long-finned Pilot Whales <i>Globicephala melas</i>, however, the lack of a prominent pale patch behind the dorsal fin on the adult male and larger females raises the possibility of Short-finned Pilot Whale <span style="font-style: italic;">G. macrorhynchus</span>. There seems to have been an incursion of warm water onto the Continental shelf this summer, evidenced by better than usual numbers of Cory's Shearwaters <i>Calonectris diomedea</i> in New England and New York, and so Short-finned might not be such an outlandish possibility.<br /><br />Although the trip is focused on collecting population data on the Humpback Whales as part of on-going CRESLI and WCNE research projects, it provides great opportunity to study and photograph a variety of seabirds. The numbers of Great Shearwater <span style="font-style: italic;">Puffinus gravis</span>, Wilson's Storm-Petrel <span style="font-style: italic;">Oceanites oceanicus</span> and Common Tern <span style="font-style: italic;">Sterna hirundo</span> were truly impressive. In fact, the throngs of commoner species were overwhelming at times and with only four sets of eyes scrutinizing the birds rather than fixed on the whales, lots of good stuff was probably missed in the happy chaos. Highlights were a <span style="font-weight: bold;">South Polar Skua</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Catharacta maccormicki</span> that passed right over the bow, good numbers of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Pomarine</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Parasitic</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">Jaegers</span> <i>Stercorarius pomarinus </i><i>and S. parasiticus </i>and at least fifteen <span style="font-weight: bold;">Leach's Storm-Petrels</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Oceanodroma leucorhoa</span>. Landbird migration is getting underway and we were visited by several sandpipers, three warblers and a Purple Martin <span style="font-style: italic;">Progne subis</span>. It would be great to have more seabird enthusiasts join us in future years to help pick through the abundant birdlife. My daily bird counts are as follows:<br /><br />DAY 1 (11 Aug 2008)<br />Emerged from the banks of mist filling Nantucket Sound shortly after dawn and spent the entire day over the GSC, surrounded by whales.<br /><br />Cory's Shearwater - 35<br />Great Shearwater - 5,119<br />Sooty Shearwater - 65<br />Manx Shearwater - 5<br />Wilson Storm-Petrel - 1,240<br />LEACH'S STORM-PETREL - 6<br />Northern Gannet - 6<br />Semipalmated Sandpiper - 3 (briefly inspected boat before moving on)<br />Red-necked Phalarope - 1<br />large shorebird sp. - 10+<br />Herring Gull - 5<br />Great Black-backed Gull - 45<br />Black-legged Kittiwake - 1<br />Common Tern - 1,450<br />SOUTH POLAR SKUA - 1<br />Pomarine Jaeger - 12 (incl 3 ads)<br />Parasitic Jaeger - 2<br />Northern Waterthrush - 1 (Nicknamed "Lucky" the bird flew around the ship many times before gaining the courage to land. Fed and watered by some kind-hearted participants, and narrowly missing being stood on several times. Remained for most of next day until jumping ship when Nantucket and mainland in sight).<br />Prairie Warbler - 1 (spent a few hours inside the main cabin before disappearing)<br /><br />DAY 2 (12 Aug 2008)<br /><br />With whales from pre-dawn to 10 am when we began the 12.5 h steam back to Martha's Vineyard (4:00 pm) and Montauk (10:30 pm).<br /><br />Common Loon - 9 (Nantucket Sound)<br />Cory's Shearwater - 39<br />Great Shearwater - 2,159<br />Sooty Shearwater - 19<br />Manx Shearwater - 1<br />Wilson Storm-Petrel - 357<br />LEACH'S STORM-PETREL - 9 (several close to vessel)<br />Northern Gannet - 5<br />Herring Gull - 18<br />Great Black-backed Gull - 67<br />Laughing Gull - 30 (Nantucket Sound and Martha's Vineyard Sound)<br />Black-legged Kittiwake - 1 (harassed by Parasitic Jaeger)<br />Common Tern - 980<br />Black Tern - 1<br />Pomarine Jaeger - 3 (including 1 adult with large tail spoons)<br />Parasitic Jaeger - 4<br />Northern Waterthrush - 1 (from previous day)<br />American Redstart - 1<br />Purple Martin - 1<br /><br />My thanks to Dr. Artie Kopelman and his intrepid band of CRESLI volunteers for putting together another fantastic trip.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-71143793133159122372008-08-02T11:11:00.000-07:002008-08-02T12:23:04.608-07:00Ireland's mystery shearwater revealed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBDwb3Qp89mtHP78HbtS3ovcHBmF1gQUrizJ7lXy6o7DHGmPGEtpOSuRmXfR8-EB2_D0XDKssj9Of5fE-PDPCGGMkYC0BBf7LKXjWzrS2sh-tpgYXBZdBynP5-qrrQ4osmitHPEBhps/s1600-h/Skellig_Michael.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihZBDwb3Qp89mtHP78HbtS3ovcHBmF1gQUrizJ7lXy6o7DHGmPGEtpOSuRmXfR8-EB2_D0XDKssj9Of5fE-PDPCGGMkYC0BBf7LKXjWzrS2sh-tpgYXBZdBynP5-qrrQ4osmitHPEBhps/s400/Skellig_Michael.jpg"alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5229992547485356082" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">F</span></span>or a few nights each summer since 2004, an unfamiliar seabird has been heard calling from the rocky slopes of Skellig Michael, a dramatic islet off the coast of Ireland's County Kerry (Google Coordinates 51.7689°, -10.5423°). This June the calls were recorded by a visiting film crew headed by Eamon de Buitlear and identified by Killian Mullarney and Magnus Robb (authors of <a href="http://oceanwanderersbooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/petrels-night-and-day-sound-approach.html">Petrels Night and Day: A Sound Approach Guide</a>) as a male Cory's Shearwater (<i>Calonectris diomedea</i>).<br /><br />Armed with a tape, Alyn Walsh and Mullarney revisited the site where they successfully caught and ringed the shearwater. The closest known breeding site for Cory’s Shearwater is on the Berlengas Islands, a small archipelago off central Portugal (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">39.4151</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-9.51258°</span></span>) some 850 miles south of Skellig Michael. Interestingly, a few pairs of Scopoli's Shearwater nest on the French coast near Bordeaux (Mays, Durand and Gomez 2006 Ornithos 13: 316), a mere 650 miles away.<br /><br />A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael (Great and Little Skellig) host large colonies of Manx Shearwater <i>Puffinus puffinus</i>, European (British) Storm-Petrel <i>Hydrobates pelagicus</i>, Northern Gannet <i>Morus bassanus</i>, alcids and Red-billed Chough <i>Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax</i>.<br /><br />Will the Skellig Cory's Shearwater return next summer? Will he succeed in luring a mate? Could there be other Cory's or Scopoli's Shearwaters visiting North Atlantic seabird colonies?<br /><br />See <a href="http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=Display&sighting_id=3919">Irish Birding</a> and <a href="http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/website/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1503&Itemid=32">Birdwatch Magazine</a> for the full story.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-21861061604855490172008-07-18T14:11:00.001-07:002008-07-18T14:31:59.544-07:00Petrels Night and Day: A Sound Approach<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj923ZSWMOy72y5n5IfC-CYshTvLn2YarSMhFhGYGb4JiqO6zamqd9dROelFQCZzqWnYlhgXhQrdP_woIoJlTz1qSOLmn2Gw5rwE3PnzJnEOpMEwrAk4AkRzhykkPdzia3H-Oag1QsnBjY/s1600-h/PNAD.1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj923ZSWMOy72y5n5IfC-CYshTvLn2YarSMhFhGYGb4JiqO6zamqd9dROelFQCZzqWnYlhgXhQrdP_woIoJlTz1qSOLmn2Gw5rwE3PnzJnEOpMEwrAk4AkRzhykkPdzia3H-Oag1QsnBjY/s400/PNAD.1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224464792398774018" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">E</span></span>ver wondered what White-faced Storm-Petrels sound like? No, they don't go "boing, boing, boing" as their wave hopping antics would suggest. A spectacular new book by Magnus Robb, Killian Mullarney and others called <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Petrels Night and Day: A Sound Approach Guide</span></span>, has the answer and much, much more.<br /><br />Using two CD's worth of sound recordings, a wonderfully readable text, eighteen full-page color plates and a heep of spectacular photographs, the authors take us on a sweeping tour through the eastern North Atlantic and Mediterranean in search of petrels, shearwaters, fulmar and storm-petrels. The result is a master work that sets a new standard for natural history guides. The material on field identification is absolutely cutting edge, with detailed treatments of several potential new splits. Pelagic birders on both sides of the Atlantic will find this a treasure trove of information and an inspiration.<br /><br />Checkout the <a href="http://oceanwanderersbooks.blogspot.com/2008/07/petrels-night-and-day-sound-approach.html">Oceanwanderers Bookshelf</a> for the full review.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-56399757123330472622008-07-18T13:53:00.000-07:002008-07-18T14:03:56.398-07:00In albatrosses, two moms can be better than one.A recent paper by Lindsay Young (University of Hawaii) and colleagues reveals an interesting example of cooperative behavior and prompts the question of how often this occurs in seabirds where males and females show little difference in appearance.<br /><br />Here is the abstract:<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Unrelated same-sex individuals pairing together and cooperating to raise offspring over many years is a rare occurrence in the animal kingdom. Cooperative breeding, in which animals help raise offspring that are not their own, is often attributed to kin selection when individuals are related, or altruism when individuals are unrelated. Here we document long-term pairing of unrelated female Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) and show how cooperation may have arisen as a result of a skewed sex ratio in this species. Thirty-one per cent of Laysan albatross pairs on Oahu were female–female, and the overall sex ratio was 59% females as a result of female-biased immigration. Female–female pairs fledged fewer offspring than male–female pairs, but this was a better alternative than not breeding. In most female–female pairs that raised a chick in more than 1 year, at least one offspring was genetically related to each female, indicating that both females had opportunities to reproduce. These results demonstrate how changes in the sex ratio of a population can shift the social structure and cause cooperative behaviour to arise in a monogamous species, and they also underscore the importance of genetically sexing monomorphic species.</span><br /><br /><blockquote>Citation:<br />Young LC, Zaun BJ, Vanderwerf EA. Successful same-sex pairing in Laysan albatross.<br />Biol Lett. 2008 Aug 23;4(4):323-5</blockquote>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-83323328400639457592008-07-08T19:08:00.000-07:002008-07-09T06:45:09.144-07:00Socotra Archipelago named World Heritage SiteThe <span style="font-weight: bold;">Socotra Archipelago</span> (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">12.489158</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">53.907147</span>°</span>) is made up of four small and arid islands and two rocky islets that jut out from the Horn of Africa into the northwest Indian Ocean. In July 2008, Socotra was officially designated a <a href="http://whc.unesco.org/en/list">UNESCO World Heritage Site</a> in recognition of its distinct flora and fauna. Some 37% of Socotra’s 825 plant species, 90% of its reptile species and 95% of its land snail species are endemic. The islands also supports globally significant populations of land and sea birds, including a number of threatened species. The marine life in the waters around Socotra is also very diverse, with 253 species of reef-building corals, 730 species of coastal fish and 300 species of crab, lobster and shrimp. Politically, the islands belong to the Republic of Yemen but not surprisingly, are also claimed by Somalia which is geographically closer.<br /><br />There seems to be mixed information about the namesake Socotra Cormorant (<span style="font-style: italic;">Phalacrocorax nigrogularis</span>). <a href="http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/ebas/index.html?action=EbaHTMDetails.asp&sid=91&m=0">Birdlife International 2003</a> reports that this Near-Threatened regional endemic occurs in small numbers as a non-breeding visitor throughout the archipelago and is more widespread elsewhere in the Arabian Gulf, Arabian Sea and Gulf of Aden. However,<a href="http://www.worldtwitch.com/socotra_yemen_birding_des.htm"> Dave Sargent's January 2006 exemplary trip report</a> indicates the cormorants breed and can be very numerous in places.<br /><br />Other nesting seabirds include Jouanin's Petrel <span style="font-style: italic;">Bulweria fallax</span> Persian Shearwater <span style="font-style: italic;">Puffinus (lherminieri) persicus</span>, Red-billed Tropicbird <span style="font-style: italic;">Phaethon aethereus</span>, Masked Booby <span style="font-style: italic;">Sula dactylatra</span>, Brown Booby <span style="font-style: italic;">Sula leucogaster</span>, White-eyed Gull <span style="font-style: italic;">Larus leucopthalmus</span>, Sooty Gull <span style="font-style: italic;">Larus hemprichii</span>, Great Crested Tern <span style="font-style: italic;">Sterna bergii</span>, Lesser Crested Tern <span style="font-style: italic;">Sterna bengalensis</span>, Sooty Tern <span style="font-style: italic;">Sterna fuscata</span>, Saunders' Tern <span style="font-style: italic;">Sterna saundersi</span>, and Brown Noddy <span style="font-style: italic;">Anous stolidus.</span><br /><br />Non-breeding visitors include Wedge-tailed Shearwater <span style="font-style: italic;">Puffinus pacificus</span>, Flesh-footed Shearwater <span style="font-style: italic;">Puffinus carneipes</span>, and Wilson's Storm-Petrel <span style="font-style: italic;">Oceanites oceanicus</span>.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-8513939962223411272008-06-30T16:57:00.000-07:002008-06-30T17:37:52.099-07:00Troubling News for Maltese Seabirds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbuDx6gTM8nrzz859hovGqViRxCUiPJTwoiH11aV2j0RjUkcnGaGOxrmfDJMgyYT8syisp23c9mighIkgn0-B_UtKdIoL-8yWrWONSAKBOaoxfsEISTdXmiHy5aztZehO_e5RNLM2Mbw/s1600-h/280_normal.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbuDx6gTM8nrzz859hovGqViRxCUiPJTwoiH11aV2j0RjUkcnGaGOxrmfDJMgyYT8syisp23c9mighIkgn0-B_UtKdIoL-8yWrWONSAKBOaoxfsEISTdXmiHy5aztZehO_e5RNLM2Mbw/s400/280_normal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217836711822053682" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>here are growing concerns that a local developer plans to extend a hotel complex adjacent to the Ta' Ċenċ Special Protection Area (SPA) on the Mediterranean island of Malta. This area of coastal cliffs was designated an Important Bird Area (IBA) for its internationally important colonies of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Yelkouan Shearwater</span> (150-300 pairs), <span style="font-weight: bold;">Scopoli's (Cory's) Shearwater</span> (1000 pairs), and <span style="font-weight: bold;">European (Mediterranean) Storm-petrels</span> (more than 25 pairs).<br /><br />Malta is especially important for Yelkouan Shearwaters (<em>Puffinus yelkouan</em>) with a nesting population of around 1,500 pairs, equivalent to 10% of the world population. Coastal development, human disturbance and predators such as rat are significant threats. <a href="http://www.lifeshearwaterproject.org.mt/en/project/">Click here</a> to read more about the <b>EU LIFE Yelkouan Shearwater Project</b> which aims to build and protect the largest colony on the cliffs at <span style="font-style:italic;">Rdum tal-Madonna</span>, situated on the northwestern tip of the island.<br /><br />For news updates visit the <a href="http://www.birdlifemalta.org/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Birdlife Malta</span></a> web page. Photo of Yelkouan Shearwater copyright of Frank Dhermain/Yelkouan Shearwater Project/Birdlife Malta.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-16977548727994773792008-06-28T08:53:00.000-07:002008-06-29T18:46:29.808-07:00Grebes and Loons: New Perspectives in Avian Phylogeny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUUpxMnzJfSpW9s1jXH6xJM9ALQ7X1EQ8rnvv7Cl5cwNgk90aMVrwhD_DaFR5Uf4r13NzvZUqLIQpezEGmdA3fpfkeJikHo8-sEFJicXiq4RMoRYbaYAtR7yeI4nvO8B_O5t5OhjfyHc/s1600-h/GreatGrebe.8399.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 338px; height: 207px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNUUpxMnzJfSpW9s1jXH6xJM9ALQ7X1EQ8rnvv7Cl5cwNgk90aMVrwhD_DaFR5Uf4r13NzvZUqLIQpezEGmdA3fpfkeJikHo8-sEFJicXiq4RMoRYbaYAtR7yeI4nvO8B_O5t5OhjfyHc/s320/GreatGrebe.8399.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216969607377753954" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />D</span></span>NA sequencing has become the work horse of the modern taxonomist and great strides have been made in understanding the evolutionary relationships of birds by comparing the sequences of representative genes in the nuclear and/or mitochondrial genomes. However, the results are sometimes ambiguous or seem surprising based on other criteria. A report published this week in the journal <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/index.dtl"><span style="font-style: italic;">Science</span></a> describes a consortium effort to sequence much large region of avian genomes to improve the comparisons. Headed by <a href="http://fm1.fieldmuseum.org/aa/staff_page.cgi?staff=hackett">Shannon Hackett</a>, an ornithologist at The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, Illinois, the team determined and compared the sequences of 19 genes (~32,000 nucleotides) from a total of 169 bird species. Across the spectrum there are surprises and within the 'seabirds' the biggest to me is the fact that grebes appear totaly unaligned with loons (divers). The latter cluster closely with penguins and albatrosses/petrels and not too far from herons, storks and pelicans and similar 'totipalmate'<sup> </sup>birds. This supports the notion of a major clade of evolutionarily related waterbirds. Grebes on the other hand sit on a very distant branch of the cladogram with flamingos, consistent with prior studies (van Tuinen et al. 2001).<br /><br /><blockquote>Hackett SJ, Kimball RT, Reddy S, Bowie RC, Braun EL, Braun MJ, Chojnowski JL, Cox WA, Han KL, Harshman J, Huddleston CJ, Marks BD, Miglia KJ, Moore WS, Sheldon FH, Steadman DW, Witt CC, Yuri T. <a href="http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/320/5884/1763"><span style="font-style: italic;">A phylogenomic study of birds reveals their evolutionary history</span></a>. Science. 2008 Jun 27;320(5884):1763-8.<br /><br />M. van Tuinen, D. B. Butvill, J. A. W. Kirsch, S. B. Hedges.(2001) <span style="font-style: italic;">Convergence and divergence in the evolution of aquatic birds</span>. Proc. R. Soc. London Ser. B 268,1345.<br /></blockquote>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-84924397805689685322008-06-27T06:29:00.000-07:002008-06-29T19:40:27.207-07:00Seabirds of the Bass Rock<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwTGhoN00QeHm6w-UNxBCHiJcMaIbiILMslm2GnHr4bpHsgi-An5L3wxykhy4Qq7z4Vw5bH6m-PNP5gWzVLk4pSDH52Qwwj2t-hLCuhUqtla_zS7Kw1p5mchMFflVUx8CVqhSCdvEFEM/s1600-h/BassRock.0203.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixwTGhoN00QeHm6w-UNxBCHiJcMaIbiILMslm2GnHr4bpHsgi-An5L3wxykhy4Qq7z4Vw5bH6m-PNP5gWzVLk4pSDH52Qwwj2t-hLCuhUqtla_zS7Kw1p5mchMFflVUx8CVqhSCdvEFEM/s320/BassRock.0203.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217485728175721298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />O</span></span>n a recent visit to Edinburgh, Scotland, I enjoyed an afternoon stroll on the beach at North Berwick. Just offshore stands the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bass Rock</span> (56.0775°, -2.638611°), a magnificent plug of hard volcanic rock that is home to more than 100,000 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Atlantic Gannets</span>. Indeed, the scientific name <span style="font-style: italic;">Morus bassanus</span>, derives from that of the rock. During the last half-century, the numbers have increased from around 7,000 active nests in the 1960's to more than 35,000 now. Much of the available space is now occupied but the population has yet to expand onto neighboring islands. Birds from the Bass exploit rich sand-eel fishing to the north and south along the eastern coast of Scotland as well as far out into the North Sea. The rock is composed of clinker basalt and at its high point stands 100 m (340 ft) above the surface of the sea.<br /><br />Many Gannets ventured right over the beach as the collected floating seaweed for their nests. From shore with binoculars it was easy to spot numerous <span style="font-weight: bold;">Razorbills</span>,<span style="font-weight: bold;"> Common Guillemots (Murres)</span> <span>and </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Atlantic Puffins</span> on the water as well as flying too and from the Bass. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Northern Fulmar</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Black-legged Kittiwake</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold;">European Shag</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;">Great Cormorant</span> were also much in evidence. The Bass Rock is only 25 miles from the heart of Edinburgh and well worth a side trip if you are in town. There is an interpretive center (<a href="http://www.seabird.org/home.asp">Scottish Seabird Centre</a>) at the harbor where tours around the island depart several times a day, weather permitting. Apparently tours now land on the island, something that was not offered on any of my past visits.<br /><br />Several islands decorate the outer Firth of Forth, creating a spectacular area for nesting seabirds. To the northeast lies the Isle of May (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">56.183333</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-2.566667</span>°</span>) hosting some 200,000 nesting seabirds including 40,000 pairs of Atlantic Puffins, 17,000 pairs of Common Guillemot (Common Murre), 2,700 pairs of Razorbill and 6,500 pairs of Black-legged Kittiwake. Just west of the Bass rock lies Craigleith (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">56.066667</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-2.716667</span>°</span>) with its lower, greener profile. In 1999, Craigleith held 28,000 nesting pairs of Atlantic Puffins until a <a href="ttp://www.ceh.ac.uk/treemallow/effects/index.html">precipitous population crash</a> that reduced the population to only a few thousand. Spread of the invasive <span style="font-weight: bold;">tree mallow</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Lavatera arborea</span>) is blamed and intensive efforts to clear the vegetation (project 'SOS Puffin') have begun to see rewards. Mild winters may have facilitated the spread of tree mallow, a Mediterranean species which is widespread along the south-west and west coasts of Britain. Additional seabird nesting sites are on Fidra (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">56.073056</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-2.783333</span>°)</span>, The Lamb and Inchmickery (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">56.01084</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-3.27343</span>°</span>) just to the north of Edinburgh which is favored by nesting Sandwich and Roseate Terns. <br /><br />A wonderful source of information on the Bass and its emblematic sulid is Bryan Nelson's monograph <span style="font-style: italic;">The Atlantic Gannet</span> (2001, Neill Shuttlewood/Fenix Press, ISBN:095411910X.).Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-84059430078199846442008-06-17T07:10:00.000-07:002008-06-20T17:02:39.215-07:00Reasonably encouraging news for Southern Ocean seabirds<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB9uuWpuOfWEmmjH0bEXmFc6x9vHdxU4QrYdzOSLhUJPxmFS0w1F_TnqAloyuLKBngOlgnWO6OYBV2iOfbvGPSQUwWuClMEbJ9ScnQVQhT8RmBIcOzDU-3V1-Nj6ijL9Bb8bpqn4PWJM/s1600-h/iotc_map.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVB9uuWpuOfWEmmjH0bEXmFc6x9vHdxU4QrYdzOSLhUJPxmFS0w1F_TnqAloyuLKBngOlgnWO6OYBV2iOfbvGPSQUwWuClMEbJ9ScnQVQhT8RmBIcOzDU-3V1-Nj6ijL9Bb8bpqn4PWJM/s400/iotc_map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5214110184093769794" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">T</span></span>he <a href="http://www.iotc.org/English/index.php">Indian Ocean Tuna Commission</a> (IOTC) adopted new regulations to reduce seabird bycatch in its fishery. The IOTC is an intergovernmental organization that oversees the tuna and tuna-like fishery in the Indian Ocean and adjacent seas north of the Antarctic Convergence (see map). The seabird proposal was led by Australia and the European Community with support from Japan and Korea. Much of the scientific data used to justify the proposal was provided by <a href="http://www.birdlife.org/news/news/2008/06/iotc_success.html">BirdLife International</a> and <a href="http://www.acap.aq/">ACAP</a>, the 'Agreement for the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels' based in Hobart, Australia. <br /><br />Under the new regulations, all longline vessels fishing for tuna and swordfish in the southern Indian Ocean, south of 30°S, will be required to use a combination of at least two measures to reduce seabird bycatch. Operators can choose to set their hooks at night with minimum deck lighting when birds are less active and use a bird streamer, or tori, line to keep birds away from the hooks, or add weight to lines to make them sink more quickly out of reach of the albatrosses, or lastly, dye the bait blue to make it less visible. Currently, four out of the five tuna commissions have regulations of this type in place and at the end of June, the fifth, the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission will consider adopting similar policy at its meeting in Panama.<br /><br />This is a good first step but it is still a baby step towards abolishing seabird mortality from commercial long-line fishing. As the IOTC recognizes, systems to monitor and enforce compliance still need to be established - no easy matter on the high seas. Under the new regulations, longlining vessels from organizations that belong to the IOTC will need to report seabird interactions on an annual basis and a scientific committee will report on the impact of the new requirements no later than 2011. For the Critically Endangered <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=3953&m=0">Amsterdam Albatross</a></span> <span style="font-style:italic;">Diomedea amsterdamensis</span> and the Endangered <span style="font-weight:bold;"><a href="http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/search/species_search.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=30015&m=0">Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross</a></span> <span style="font-style:italic;">Thalassarche carteri</span>, both of which are essentially endemic to the IOTC region, time is of the essence. Hopefully the new measures will be effective and not have to be revised significantly once the data is gathered.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-4444668194364958182008-06-15T11:52:00.000-07:002008-06-15T12:07:48.179-07:00Fiji Petrel Expedition - Participants Needed<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9IMF8O3IycKQbrYgXyG9oBRjZt6cIgOR79U7QIVlVcYNCv05rnBwYqdFDDeqP8lR_DATKQI0uRaPM4JQNgwHkM2vIez9rxRI6_EapF87GkNbGIKHItoM3Kmx0WL5qvgmNnrcFGBI-aM/s1600-h/SummerSpirit.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE9IMF8O3IycKQbrYgXyG9oBRjZt6cIgOR79U7QIVlVcYNCv05rnBwYqdFDDeqP8lR_DATKQI0uRaPM4JQNgwHkM2vIez9rxRI6_EapF87GkNbGIKHItoM3Kmx0WL5qvgmNnrcFGBI-aM/s400/SummerSpirit.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5212186892487783010" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">F</span>iji Petrel Expedition, Fiji Islands 08, on its way - looking for two more keen participants</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hadoram Shirihai</span> and <a href="http://www.environmentfiji.com/dick_watling.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Dick Watling</span></a> (the former is responsible for the rediscovery of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Beck's Petrel</span> and the latter the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Fiji Petrels</span>) are just about one month before starting the at sea <span style="font-style: italic;">Fiji Petrel Expedition, 16 to 26 July 2008</span>. The goal of the voyage is to document the continued survival of Fiji Petrel, one of the World's least known seabirds, and survey the Fijian waters for other poorly known petrels and cetaceans.<br /><br />Dick and Hadoram have now chartered a larger vessel, the '<span style="font-style: italic;">Summer Spirit</span>', and are looking for two additional participants. In this unique expedition the number of participants (beside Dick and Hadoram) is limited to five participants only. If you like to join this unique pelagic expedition please contact Hadoram at albatross_shirihai[at symbol]hotmail.comAngus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-57052447808128803202008-06-14T17:20:00.000-07:002008-06-14T17:37:24.561-07:00North Carolina Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel Photo<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />F</span></span>or those who haven't see it yet, there is gorgeous <a href="http://www.seabirding.com/">photo</a> by Steve Howell of the 2 June 2008 <span style="font-weight: bold;">Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">Oceanodroma monorhis</span>) alongside 2 Wilson's Storm-Petrels (<span style="font-style: italic;">Oceanites oceanicus</span>) on the front page of Brian Patteson's <a href="http://www.seabirding.com/">Seabirding Pelagic Trips</a> web site. The Swinhoe's was photographed 35.5 nautical miles ENE of Hatteras Village (<span class="geo"><span class="latitude" title="Latitude">35.219444</span>°, <span class="longitude" title="Longitude">-75.690278</span>°)</span>, on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, USA. Hopefully more photos of this exciting bird will be added soon together with complete listings of bird and marine mammal recorded during a very productive spring season of North Carolina pelagics.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-48717521557307703902008-06-14T17:06:00.000-07:002008-06-14T17:08:32.402-07:00Seawatch - Long Island, New York, USA<span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">A</span></span>n evening seawatch (6:05-7:30 pm) from Amagansett near the eastern tip of Long Island (40.9694°,-72.1238°) produced some nice birds in spite of flat calm conditions and some mist. A scattering of Northern Gannets (21 total) were joined by at least six CORY'S SHEARWATERS, a single MANX SHEARWATER and two WILSON'S STORM-PETRELS. The tubenoses milled around on the edge of the mist for a half hour before disappearing. Other birds of note included 1 Black Skimmer (flying west), 2 subadult Laughing Gulls and 4 Common Loons (all in basic plumages).Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-28514643404171768502008-06-14T10:38:00.000-07:002008-06-14T10:58:03.111-07:00More thoughts on Steve Wood's petrel image from Kermadec Islands, NZ<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe_tHjsoQJplaaF5eI6pUPoh9Q4HuoLahFWWs-QxP_lAVE3JTNUd42zafNzgH0S-S9T1qGPu63tA65VIh7GHNy-0p0RbTjikayXm2obd44vuRPhbZCyEt1xrwXeAi8zGfVQ52Y1mE1hk/s1600-h/IMG_3229.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAe_tHjsoQJplaaF5eI6pUPoh9Q4HuoLahFWWs-QxP_lAVE3JTNUd42zafNzgH0S-S9T1qGPu63tA65VIh7GHNy-0p0RbTjikayXm2obd44vuRPhbZCyEt1xrwXeAi8zGfVQ52Y1mE1hk/s400/IMG_3229.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211795745741600018" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ugHeiScbOznrp3x7LyxhS69ALcGcupGWverWoL1pwIV69m4KYmwx2nZPk9xDNZUHqyodfzzMdH1AnbzJXDrZEauisYONZyMc1lFxzGMStBYdSHX2gaeNrgAQFRmWbLjk6NXD3kZSwo/s1600-h/IMG_3219.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-ugHeiScbOznrp3x7LyxhS69ALcGcupGWverWoL1pwIV69m4KYmwx2nZPk9xDNZUHqyodfzzMdH1AnbzJXDrZEauisYONZyMc1lFxzGMStBYdSHX2gaeNrgAQFRmWbLjk6NXD3kZSwo/s400/IMG_3219.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211795466445885650" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:130%;">H</span>adoram Shirihai's response to the note published in Birdwatch magazine, concerning a petrel photographed off the Kermadec Islands by Steve Wood:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Fig. 1 & 2. Worn Black-winged Petrel, showing clear white collar due to wear and breaching; W Tropical Pacific; photo copyright of Tony Quinn.<br /></span><br />It is correct that initially I speculated (as according to the note in <a href="http://www.birdwatch.co.uk/website/">Birdwatch</a>, Michael Imber did as well) that the petrel photographed by Steve Wood (<a href="http://www.wrybill-tours.com/idproblems/pterodroma1.htm">click here for link to photo</a>) could be the poorly-known Vanuatu Petrel <span style="font-style: italic;">Pterodroma occulta</span>. However, this was done before I had an opportunity to experience the two forms at sea and around the breeding grounds (i.e. White-necked Petrel <span style="font-style: italic;">Pterodroma cervicalis</span> in the Kermadec Islands, and Vanuatu Petrel around Vanuatu), and also prior to examining the 6 specimens of occulta at the AMNH. In the future, I will be happy to share the results of these studies with others but not in this short response.<br /><br />As <a href="http://groups.google.com/group/Seabird-News/browse_thread/thread/68054b593a140e81">posted on the 26 May</a> (in Seabird News, run by Angus Wilson), and among other speculations, I indicated that Steve Wood's petrel appeared to have "an underwing pattern and overall shape reminiscent of Black-Winged Petrel, but that the black on the head/cap looks too extensive for the latter". But I also speculated "the apparent white collar is not conclusive, as this could possibly be an effect of wear."<br /><br />Nevertheless, I checked images of the many Black-Winged Petrels that I photographed off the Kermadec Islands and found that some birds do appear to have slightly darker crown or even darker overall head (from certain angels and lights), and some even have a faint pale area on the hindneck. Furthermore, two of my friends, Robert Flood (UK) and Brent Stephenson (NZ), have contact me to say that they too have seen and documented 'white-collared' Black-Winged Petrel. Brent also kindly sent his images taken off northern NZ (during seabird pelagic voyages that he organizes on a regular basis), while Robert drew my attention to images of two such ‘white-collared’ Black-Winged Petrel taken on the Western Pacific Odyssey 2008 by Mike Danzenbaker and Tony Quinn.<br /><br />In my note I also said "There is probably not much point in discussing the identity of this bird further until more examples are found, and that for me at least, Steve Wood's bird should remain as an unidentified Pterodroma". I will like to revised this statement too by saying that based on clear cut photographic evidences, the petrel photographed by Steve Wood's off Kermadec Islands is MOST LIKELY a 'white-collared' Black-Winged Petrel, at least until someone comes forward with new and well documented evidence to suggest that these could be a different species. I am adding "MOST LIKELY" since there are always caveats in trying to identify a petrel from a single image, and indeed Steve Wood's petrel still has what appears, at least superficially, to be distinctive black cap (see below).<br /><br />Here is a brief summary of why the petrel photographed by Steve Wood off Kermadec Islands is MOST LIKELY a 'white-collared' Black-Winged Petrel:<br /><br />1. Overall shape and proportions are most reminiscent of Black-Winged Petrel: it appears to be a rather compact small-sized Pterodroma, with rounded head and wings (the latter being relatively broad, and with short, rounded hand), and rather moderately/longish tail (i.e. resembling a medium-sized and quite heavy but compact cookilaria).<br /><br />2. Diagnostic underwing pattern of Black-Winged Petrel: with conspicuous diagonal, bold and very broad black covert-band from bend of wing, extending well inward (almost to the armpit but not reaching body), and where narrows slightly, and with a broad black mark on the fore primary-coverts, the wing-tips and the trailing edge.<br /><br />3. Rather bold dark breast-side patches: also characteristic of Black-Winged Petrel, but not conclusive.<br /><br />Still one 'concession': the cap (combination of crown and eye-patch) seem to be too dark and solid compared to Black-Winged Petrels that I have seen and photographed. Conceivably, the capped appearance may be exaggerated in this one image by the harsh lighting, and this imaging artifact perhaps also contributes to the white-collared effect. Indeed, it seems that the eye-patch is slightly darker than the crown on Steve Wood's petrel.<br /><br />Lastly, there is a strong match between Steve Wood’s petrel and the attached great images of Black-Winged Petrels by Mike Danzenbaker and Tony Quinn. These images shows that in a state of heavy wear, Black-Winged Petrels can develop a clear, but narrow, white collar on the hindneck.<br /><br />The lesson I learned over the years in thinking about such cases is that the simplest explanations are most possibly the correct ones. That said, it is always a benefit to share ideas or to learn from others, and there is value in being flexible until more is known. Thus, Robert Flood and Brent Stephenson should be credited for their important input in considering the identity of the petrel photographed by Steve Wood's off Kermadec Islands, which as I have argue here, is MOST LIKELY an 'white-collared' Black-Winged Petrel. Thanks also to Mike Danzenbaker, Tony Quinn and Brent Stephenson for use of their excellent images.<br /><br />Hadoram Shirihai, May 2008<br /></div>Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-48344853134430675732008-06-11T07:12:00.000-07:002008-06-11T07:39:42.119-07:00European Storm-Petrel links<b><br /><a href="http://www.hughharrop.com/articles/storm-petrels.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">M</span>ousa Brock Storm Petrels</a></b> a short essay by Hugh Harrop.<br />This striking Iron-Age stone fort (<span style="font-style: italic;">brock</span>) in the Shetland Islands holds a colony of several thousand European Storm-Petrels.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://stormies-online.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size:130%;">P</span>onta da Alamadena, Algarve, Portugal: storm-petrel study site</a></b><br />Long-term ringing study of migrants by the A Rocha Bird Observatory in collaboration with Cardiff University. The number of recaptures from distant colonies (NW Spain, Scotland, Iceland) is very interesting. Approximately 8% of the European Storm-Petrels trapped at this site are already bearing a ring, or are later recaptured in north-west Europe. The results demonstrate the rapid movements of storm-petrels around this corner of the Atlantic. Many appear to be non-breeders apparently checking out potential nest burrows and mates for the future. Older, breeding birds, are apparently less attracted to tape lures.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-30597426890904444032008-06-10T07:35:00.000-07:002008-06-14T14:42:15.496-07:00Probable Swinhoe's Storm-Petrels from Atlantic, Mediterranean and Red Sea<span><br />I've tabulated a very informal and incomplete list of reports </span><span>from the Atlantic, Mediterranean and Red Seas </span><span>of dark-rumped petrels that are presumed to be Swinhoe's Storm-Petrel.<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />ENGLAND<br /></span>?? 'Chalice petrel' 3 Aug 1998 (ATS, ph, see Garner and Mullarney 2004)<br />Tynemouth Pier, Tyne. &. Wear, 19 & 26 July 1989 (Tp*)<br />Tynemouth Pier, Tyne. &. Wear, 7 July 1990 (Tp*)<br />Tynemouth Pier, Tyne. &. Wear, 31 July 1991 (Tp* controlled)<br />Tynemouth Pier, Tyne. &. Wear, July 1992 (Tp* controlled)<br />Tynemouth Pier, Tyne. &. Wear, July 1994 (Tp* controlled)<br />at sea off Scilly Islands, 21 July 2006 (ATS, Ph)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">FRANCE</span><br />Banneg, Bretagne, 27 Jul 1989 (Tp<span>, see Bretagnolle et al 1991)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">GERMANY</span><br />Cuxhaven, Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), 24 Sept 2004 (see Aumüller et al. 2005)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">NETHERLANDS<br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Camperduin, Bergen, Noord-Holland, 22 Sept 2004 (NOT ACCEPTED by CDNA)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">NORWAY<br /></span> Revekaien, Jaeren, Rogaland, 13 Aug 1996 (Tp)<br />Revekaien, Jaeren, Rogaland, 9 Aug 1997 (Tp*)<br />Revekaien, Jaeren, Rogaland, July 2000 (Tp* controlled)<br />Revekaien, Jaeren, Rogaland, Aug 2000 (Tp* controlled)<br />Revekaien, Jaeren, Rogaland, 5 Aug 2003 (Tp* controlled)<br />Hernyken, Nordland, Røst, 13 Aug 2006 (Tp)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">IRELAND</span><br />Bridges of Ross, Clare, 15 Aug 1985 (?)<br />Great Skellig Rock, Kerry, 1 July 2000 (Tp)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ISRAEL (Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea)</span><br />Eilat, Jan 1958 (Sp)<br />North Beach, Eilat, 8 Sept 2001 (Sp, Tel Aviv Uni #AV15980, see Reuven et al. Sandgrouse 25:150-151)<br />Eilat, 19 Apr 2003 (ATS, Ph, Sp, see Granit and Smith 2004 Sandgrouse 26(1): 51-52)<br />North Beach, Eilat, Sept 2004<br />Eilat, 24 Jan 2008 (Sp)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">ITALY</span><br />Genoa, Liguria, 11 Aug 1991 (see Arcamone et al. 1995)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mid-Atlantic</span><span> (between Sierra Leone and Brazil)</span><br />2, 04 deg 13' N, 19 deg 10'W (ATS, see Hales and Vaughn, 2003)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">PORTUGAL</span><br />Ponta da Almadena, Luz, Algarve, 27 June 1998 (Tp, Ph)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SCOTLAND</span><br />Cove Harbor, Aberdeenshire, 5 Aug 2000 (Tp, Baxter and Scott)<br />Coll, Argyll, 10 May 2004<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">SELVAGENS ISLANDS, PORTUGAL</span><br /><span>Selvagem Grande 29 Jun 1983 (Tp* see James and Robertson 1985)</span><span><br />1986 (Tp*)</span><br /><span>Selvagem Grande 30 Jun 1988 (Tp, see Bretagnolle et al 1991)<br />17 Aug 2007 (Tp*)<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">SPAIN<br /></span>Isla Benidorm, 13 Jul 1994 (Tp, see King and Minguez 1994)<br />Ses Bledes, Cabrera Is, 13 Aug 1997 (Tp, see McMinn and Dietrich 1997)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">USA</span><br />Gulf Stream, North Carolina, Aug 1993 (ATS, see Brinkley 1995)<br />Gulf Stream, North Carolina, 8 Aug 1998 (ATS, Ph, see O'Brian et al. 1999)<br />Gulf Stream, North Carolina, 2 Jun 2008 (ATS, Ph, <a href="http://www.seabirding.com/">Patteson et al.</a>)<br /><br />ATS = At sea sighting<br />Ph = photographed<br />Sp = specimen<br />Tp = trapped & released<br />Tp* = trapped & released multiple times<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Useful Citations:<br /></span>-- Arcamone, E. et al., (1995) Comitato di Omologazione Italiano. Riv.Ital.Orn., 65:63-68.<br />-- Aumüller, R., Bock, C and Deutsch, M. (2005) Eine „dunkle Sturmschwalbe“ mit Merkmalen eines Swinhoewellenläufers Oceanodroma monorhis in Deutschland. http://www.club300.de/articles/003_swinhoe/index.html<br />-- Baxter and Scott. http://www.albaecology.co.uk/birdscot/docs/article3-4.htm<br />-- Bretagnolle, V., Carruthers, M., Cubitt, M., Bioret, F., and Cuillandre, J-P. (1991) Six captures of a dark-rumped, fork-tailed storm-petrel in the northern Atlantic. Ibis 133: p351-356.<br />-- Brinkley, ES. (1995) Dark-rumped storm-petrels in the North Atlantic. Birding 27: p95-97.<br />-- Cubitt, M. (1995) Swinhoe's Storm-petrels at Tynemouth: New to Britain and Ireland. British Birds 88: 342-348.<br />-- Garner and Mullarney (2004) A critical look at the evidence relating to 'the <i>Chalice </i>petrel'. British Birds 97:336 - 345.<br />-- Granit, B. and Smith, J.P. (2004) Another Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel <i>Oceanodroma monorhis</i> at Eilat. Sandgrouse 26(1): 51-52<br />-- Hales, S. and Vaughan, J. (2003) Dark-rumped <i>Oceanodroma</i> Storm-petrels in the central Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic Seabirds 5(2): 85-86.<br />-- James, PC., and Robertson, HA. (1985) First record of Swinhoe's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhis in the Atlantic Ocean. Ardea 73: p105-106.<br />-- King, J. and Minguez, E. (1994) Swinhoe's Petrel: The first Mediterranean record. Birding World 7: p271-273.<br />-- McMinn, M. and Dietrich, P (1997) Captura de un paiño de Swinhoe Oceanodroma<br />monorhisen el islote de Ses Bledes, archipiélago de Cabrera. [A Swinhoe’s Storm-petrel Oceanodroma monorhiscaught on the islet of Ses Bledes, Cabrera]. l’ANUARI ORNITOLOGIC DE LES BALEARS :67<br />-- Morrison, S. 1998: All-dark petrels in the North Atlantic. British Birds 91: 540-560.<br />-- O'Brian, M. Patteson, JB., Armistead, GL., Pearce, GB. (1999) Swinhoe's Storm-petrel: First North American photographic record. North American Birds 53(1): p6-10.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6693645656399208370.post-61333934836341546992008-06-10T04:57:00.000-07:002008-06-11T07:47:11.169-07:00World Seabird Conference AnnouncementIn September 2010, the <a href="http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/">Pacific Seabird Group</a> will host the <a href="http://www.pacificseabirdgroup.org/1stWorldSeabirdConference/1stWorldSeabirdConference.pdf"><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Seabird Conference</span></a> in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Entitled "<span style="font-style: italic;">Seabirds: A Global Perspective</span>" planned symposia will cover important topics such seabird & fishery interactions, climate change, Island restoration, seabird migration and life histories.Angus Wilsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13944151273252264498noreply@blogger.com0