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8 Feb feather used like whiskers [Ian Paulsen ] 6 Feb Gould's Petrels [Phil Hansbro ] 1 Feb Pelagic Trip #35 from Port MacDonnell, South Australia 31 Jan 2010 [mariner ] 31 Jan Website update- great new tubenose photos ["Ross Silcock" ] 31 Jan Photos of baroli and boydi [ahmed ross ] 31 Jan Oceanside (San Diego) Pelagic Trip Report 30JAN2010 [thunefeld ] 21 Jan USFWS Tribute to Dave Pitkin & Ray Bentley from USFWS; Memorial a Month Or So [Range Bayer ] 21 Jan Southern California Pelagics - 2010 [thunefeld ] 14 Jan New insights into Arctic Tern migration [Angus Wilson ] 12 Jan 9 January 2010 Hauraki Gulf Seabirds Northern New Zealand ["Chris Gaskin" ] 11 Jan 2010 Pelagics from Madeira Islands [Wind Birds ] 29 Dec Re: Magenta Petrel (again!) [Tony Pym ] 22 Dec Gulf of Alaska, Aug 2010: second trip added [John Puschock ] 19 Dec Pair jailed for shooting Kittiwakes [Tony Pym ] 10 Dec Andrew's Pt., Rockport, Massachusetts Seawatch; 9 December 2009. [Richard Heil ] 10 Dec NEW! The West African Pelagic [John Brodie-Good ] 5 Dec Fiji Petrel seen from Clipper Odyssey [Tony Pym ] 5 Dec final days in Southern California bight [Force ] 28 Nov Re: Fw: Observgation from ships [Force ] 27 Nov Magenta Petrel (again!) [John Brodie-Good ] 27 Nov Re: Fw: Observgation from ships [Gail Mackiernan ] 27 Nov Fw: Observgation from ships [William Bourne ] 26 Nov RE: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later ["Alvaro Jaramillo" ] 26 Nov Re: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later [Gail Mackiernan ] 26 Nov Re: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later [Angus Wilson ] 26 Nov Re: possible Streaked Shearwater [Force ] 26 Nov Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later [Gail Mackiernan ] 26 Nov Pelagic Trip #34 off Port MacDonnell South Australia 22nd November 2009 [mariner ] 25 Nov Fregetta storm-petrel reported from Severn Estuary (England) [Angus Wilson ] 25 Nov Re: possible Streaked Shearwater [Nate Dias ] 21 Nov Contacting Greg Baker ["tubenose AT tiscali.co.uk" ] 20 Nov Re: possible Streaked Shearwater ["Terry Hunefeld" ] 20 Nov possible Streaked Shearwater [Force ] 19 Nov Yay Re: Laysan Albatross "AL" returns [Nate Dias ] 17 Nov Alaska pelagics 2010: Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutians [John Puschock ] 15 Nov Andrew's Pt., Rockport, MA Seawatch; 14 Nov. 2009 [Richard Heil ] 11 Nov Pelagic Trip #33 off Port MacDonnell South Australia 8th November 2009 [mariner ] 03 Nov Space Available on Sun, Nov. 8 Cape May Pelagic (8:00-4:00) ["Paul A. Guris" ] 28 Oct Vanuato Petrel [William Bourne ] 27 Oct Announcement: Extreme Gadfly Petrel Expeditions [Angus Wilson ] 28 Oct Re: Fwd: [Seabird-News:1136] Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic [Ross Wanless ] 27 Oct Fwd: [Seabird-News:1136] Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic [John Brodie-Good ] 26 Oct Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic ["Paul A. Guris" ] 23 Oct Re: Oregon Seabirds [Angus Wilson ] 23 Oct Oregon Seabirds [Greg Gillson ] 21 Oct White-chinned Petrel in California [Michael Force ] 20 Oct Re: FW: White-chinned Petrel in California Oct. 18, 2009 -Half Moon Bay ["J. BRIAN PATTESON" ] 20 Oct FW: White-chinned Petrel in California Oct. 18, 2009 -Half Moon Bay [Kris Olson ] 20 Oct Pelagic trip report - the search for the Sooty Albatross continues [Ross Wanless ] 14 Oct Western Pacific Odyssey 2010 - lower prices! [John Brodie-Good ] 14 Oct Fiji Petrel paper; now available for download [Tony Pym ] 14 Oct Fiji Petrel paper; now available for download [Tony Pym ] 13 Oct Re: Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel [Joseph Morlan ] 13 Oct Re: Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel [JRZ ] 12 Oct Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel [Force ] 9 Oct Amazing seabird images up for grabs [Ross Wanless ] 28 Sep Re: Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight [Force ] 28 Sep 25nm off Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach FL [Robert Wallace ] 28 Sep Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica [JRZ ] 27 Sep Trip report: Gulf of Mexico (Alabama) Sept 20, 2009 pelagic [] 27 Sep Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica [Force ] 27 Sep Greater protection for UK seabirds [Tony Pym ] 26 Sep Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica [Gail Mackiernan ] 26 Sep Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica [Tony Pym ] 25 Sep Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica [JRZ ] 24 Sep Monterey Seabirds trip reports [Roger Wolfe ] 21 Sep Re: Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight ["Terry Hunefeld" ] 21 Sep Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight [Force ] 21 Sep Dana Point California (Orange County) Pelagic Trip Report 9-19-09 [thunefeld ] 21 Sep More seabird records from Fiji [Tony Pym ] 21 Sep Re: Important Seabird Records from the Fiji Islands ["Chris Gaskin" ] 20 Sep Fiji Petrel Press Release [Tony Pym ] 20 Sep Records of seabirds - Fiji waters [Tony Pym ] 19 Sep SEARCHER SoCal Pelagic Live-aboard 5-day Deep Water Trip Report 9-2009 [thunefeld ] 19 Sep Re: Important Seabird Records from the Fiji Islands [mariner ] 18 Sep Agadir, Morocco pelagic trip results for 17 Sept 09 [George Armistead ] Subject: feather used like whiskers From: Ian Paulsen <birdbooker AT zipcon.net> Date: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:04:49 -0800 (PST) HI ALL: FYI: http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_8500000/8500620.stm sincerely -- Ian Paulsen Bainbridge Island, WA, USA " Which just goes to show that a passion for books is extremely unhealthy." from Cornelia Funke's "Inkheart".Subject: Gould's Petrels From: Phil Hansbro <philip.hansbro AT newcastle.edu.au> Date: Sat, 6 Feb 2010 13:52:47 +1100 This was in the Birds Australia e-newsletter just out: “Broughton Island, off Port Stephens NSW, was also surveyed by six ASG members. With support from the local NPWS office, a difficult survey was completed of the shearwaters of this 122 ha island. Night time spotlight surveys were done to determine if White-faced Storm-Petrels had begun prospecting the main island following the eradication of rats earlier in 2009. While none of these delightful birds were spotted it is hoped in future surveys that they will be found where they formerly nested in their thousands. A fantastic discovery by the group was the presence of Gould’s Petrel breeding on the island. This is only the third nesting island in the world for this species. Surveys of the outer islands of the Broughton Group are planned for 2010.” Phil. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Pelagic Trip #35 from Port MacDonnell, South Australia 31 Jan 2010 From: mariner <diomedea1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Mon, 1 Feb 2010 21:22:03 -0800 (PST) Pelagic trips are organised by the South Australian Ornithological
Association once or twice monthly between November and May on a non-
profit basis.
Location : Port MacDonnell South Australia
Date: 31st January 2010
Boat : 'Remarkable'
Crew: Skipper- Mark Moody, Mate - Jamie Moody plus 12 sea birders.
Weather : Wind light ENE at first becoming fresh SSW to 20 knots
during morning. Lightly overcast becoming
clear.
Synoptic Situation : High centred east of Tasmania, weak cold front
approaching from SW.
Seas: Slight at first then wind waves to 1.5 metres. Long period 3 -
4 metre SW swell.
Route : Sailed 0545 heading south to 'Deep Hole' 38 27'S 140 38'E
depth c.1100m. Worked berley slick in area
until 1030 then moved to 'Hot Spot' 38 23'S 140 35'E depth
c.750m. until 1230 then returned to Port Mac
arriving at 1400.
Inshore to 200 metre depth contour
Shy Albatross 2
Black-browed Albatross 2
Yellow-nosed Albatross 1
Short-tailed Shearwater 10
Fluttering Shearwater 5
Australasian Gannet 10
At Shelf edge 200 - 1100 metre depth
Southern Royal Albatross 1
Shy Albatross 25
Black-browed Albatross 15 nominate
1 impavida adult
Yellow-nosed Albatross 20
Great-winged Petrel 5 gouldi
Common Diving Petrel 1
Short-tailed Shearwater 200
Flesh-footed Shearwater 75
Fluttering Shearwater 2
White-faced Storm-petrel 30
Arctic Skua 1
Australasian Gannet 5
Crested Tern 8
Notes: Bird of the trip- Southern Royal Albatross. No cetaceans
sighted. Organiser Colin Rogers. Recorder and
Chief Berleyman Stuart Hull.
Neil Cheshire
Encounter Bay,
South Australia.
--
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Subject: Website update- great new tubenose photosFrom: "Ross Silcock" <silcock AT rosssilcock.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:13:07 -0600 I've just overhauled the photo gallery on my website (URL below) to include 200+ great photos of our recent New Zealand trip by Phil Swanson- the seabird photos are especially noteworthy. http://www.rosssilcock.com/galleryindex.htm Ross Ross Silcock P.O. Box 57 Tabor, IA 51653 New Zealand Land and Pelagic Bird Tours http://www.rosssilcock.com -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Photos of baroli and boydi From: ahmed ross <ma002a5887 AT blueyonder.co.uk> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 19:47:33 +0000 Hi all, I am searching for photos of two shearwater taxa, baroli and boydi, for use in a paper. If anybody is willing to contribute any photos (or point me in the direction of photos), could they please email: rossahmed AT gmail.com Many thanks Ross Ahmed -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Oceanside (San Diego) Pelagic Trip Report 30JAN2010 From: thunefeld <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:34:53 -0800 (PST) Greetings, The TRIP REPORT and PHOTOS and GPS TRIP TRACK for the fourth annual Buena Vista Audubon Society “Seabirds, Whales and Dolphins” pelagic trip from Helgren’s in Oceanside this Saturday is now up at www.SoCalBirding.com http://www.socalbirding.com/tripreports/oceansidejan302010.html Details and registration/reservation links for all upcoming SoCal pelagic trip for 2010 are posted at: http://www.socalbirding.com/upcomingtrips.html W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips by: Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands & Nine Mile Bank all the way to the edge of the Continental Shelf -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: USFWS Tribute to Dave Pitkin & Ray Bentley from USFWS; Memorial a Month Or So From: Range Bayer <range.bayer AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:46:51 -0800 ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From:Subject: Southern California Pelagics - 2010 From: thunefeld <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 13:00:29 -0800 (PST) Greetings, San Diego Audubon’s 2010 San Diego Bird Festival (March 3-7) has three Pelagic Day Trips that are rapidly filling up. Last year we saw dozens of Brown Boobies, two Manx Shearwaters and had a Blue-footed Booby flying around the boat. Details at www.SoCalBirding.com under “Upcoming Trips.” 2008’s and 2009’s trip reports and photos can be reviewed under the “Trip Reports” tab. The 2010 Southern California Pelagic schedule of trips sponsored by 4 SoCal Audubon Societies - Los Angeles, San Diego, Buena Vista (Oceanside) and Sea & Sage (O.C.) – is now posted at www.SoCalBirding.com under “Upcoming Trips.” Trips go out every month except December. Art and Celia of Searcher Natural History Tours have scheduled a new 2.5 day Memorial Day weekend trip in addition to their normal 5-day Labor Day Week deep water pelagic. The Memorial Day weekend trip departs San Diego in search of seabirds and Blue Whales at 8:00 a.m. Saturday May 29. We’ll spend all Saturday and Sunday at sea in Searcher’s luxurious accommodations, returning Monday, Memorial Day, at noon. The cost for 2.5 days at sea, including hot showers, a great crew and delicious meals prepared by Chef Charles, is only $395. Searcher’s five-day Labor Day week trip departs San Diego in search of albatrosses, Craveri’s Murrelets, Red-billed Tropicbirds and Cook’s and Hawaiian Petrels. Our traditional itinerary takes us through and around the Channels Islands then out to the edge of the Continental Shelf and beyond to hunt rare pterodromas. Searcher has an incredible record of rarities (see “Searcher” link below). Memorial Day Trip: http://www.socalbirding.com/release/searchermay29312010.html Labor Day week trip: http://www.socalbirding.com/release/searchersep6102010.html Details about Searcher: http://www.socalbirding.com/searcherexpeditions.html W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips by: Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands & Nine Mile Bank all the way to the edge of the Continental Shelf-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: New insights into Arctic Tern migration From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 08:04:30 -0500 There's an interesting geotracking study published this week in the Proceedings of the National Acadamy of Sciences USA: Carsten Egevang, Iain J. Stenhouse, Richard A. Phillips, Aevar Petersen, James W. Fox, and Janet R. D. Silk *Tracking of Arctic terns Sterna paradisaea reveals longest animal migration * PNAS 2010 : 0909493107v1-200909493. Abstract: The study of long-distance migration provides insights into the habits and performance of organisms at the limit of their physical abilities. The Arctic tern *Sterna paradisaea* is the epitome of such behavior; despite its small size (<125 g), banding recoveries and at-sea surveys suggest that its annual migration from boreal and high Arctic breeding grounds to the Southern Ocean may be the longest seasonal movement of any animal. Our tracking of 11 Arctic terns fitted with miniature (1.4-g) geolocators revealed that these birds do indeed travel huge distances (more than 80,000 km annually for some individuals). As well as confirming the location of the main wintering region, we also identified a previously unknown oceanic stopover area in the North Atlantic used by birds from at least two breeding populations (from Greenland and Iceland). Although birds from the same colony took one of two alternative southbound migration routes following the African or South American coast, all returned on a broadly similar, sigmoidal trajectory, crossing from east to west in the Atlantic in the region of the equatorial Intertropical Convergence Zone. Arctic terns clearly target regions of high marine productivity both as stopover and wintering areas, and exploit prevailing global wind systems to reduce flight costs on long-distance commutes. The authors have made the article available free of charge (Open Access). A link to the PDF is here. http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2009/12/29/0909493107.full.pdf+html -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/Subject: 9 January 2010 Hauraki Gulf Seabirds Northern New Zealand From: "Chris Gaskin" <chris.gaskin AT xtra.co.nz> Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:55:21 +1300 Hi all, Great day out on the Hauraki Gulf on Saturday; always nice to see a bunch of keen kiwis stretching their sea legs. One Fin and a German completed the day's crew. Departed Sandspit at 0810hrs in fine conditions. Wind S 15kns and high clouds with a lot of sun made for a pleasant run out from Kawau Bay and out into open water. Given the boat was crammed with photographers (including a splendidly decked-out Bruce Shanks) we were looking for some very obliging birds, and straightaway had a blue penguin preening itself well with range of all the lens on board. Fairly quiet out from Tokatu Point with just a few fluttering shearwaters, more blue penguins and the occasional gannet. However it wasn't too long before we started to pick up a few white-faced storm petrels, Buller's shearwaters, one sooty shearwater and Cook's petrels, plus an increasing number of fluttering shearwaters. By this time we were well out into the shipping channel and west of Little Barrier/Hauturu. As we closed in on NW Reef the numbers of birds increased dramatically (especially the fluttering shearwaters and Cook's petrels). The wind strength was up so the birds were moving quickly; an amazing swirling effect where they were massed. At NW Reef we stopped for our first chumming session (80mins). From where we were we could see birds in all directions and within a short time were getting tremendous views of Cook's petrels, flesh-footed, sooty (1) and fluttering shearwaters, black petrels, fairy prions, white-faced storm petrels and (yep) NZ storm petrels... At one stage we had five NZSPs around the boat. At 1110hrs we were heading north, wind was up a little to around 20kns. More big flocks of fluttering shearwaters (mostly on the water) and Cook's petrels (mostly in the air but also in scattered groups on the water). Spied one NZSP while cruising, not the easiest of birds to pick up at 15-18kns. We decided we'd head for the Mokohinaus first; plenty of birds en route including one large foraging flock of Buller's and fluttering shearwaters, Cook's petrels and white-faced storm petrels, plus one large blue flying fish. Closer to Fanal (and between Fanal, Burgess and Maori Rocks) good numbers of Buller's and fluttering shearwaters, and fairy prions. We saw about 10 grey ternlets on the stacks, plenty of gannet action with birds on nests, probably on eggs or small chicks. The numbers of grey ternlets is way down on previous seasons - another influence of the cold conditions that Graeme Taylor had written about in an earlier posting (BIRDING-NZ 5 December). In this case making it less tempting for sub-tropical birds to venture south. Grey ternlets breed at the Kermadecs and on Norfolk Island in our region. Just outside Maori Rocks we saw a big group of birds feeding over a very active school of trevally; red-billed gulls joining the shearwaters and prions. We crossed to Burgess where a couple of us hopped ashore to check on some remote telemetry gear installed in December and download data; while Brett (skipper) took the rest out to sea for a chumming session (about 50mins). After our pick up we did a bit of 'tiki' (kiwi-speak for 'scenic') tour around the islands, stopping for a cuppa at the Arches then headed for Simpson's Rock for our third chum session (30mins). Surrounding the rock - actually an emergent pinnacle (when anchored about 100m away we were over 47m of water) - were some extremely active huge schools of trevally; the sound they made was like surf, especially when something rushed at them from below and the sea would erupt. Thousands of birds were active over and around the fish; feeding on the same planktonic creatures that they were vacuuming up. Our chum certainly drew in good numbers of white-faced storm petrels and fairy prions; plus other birds we'd seen already. No NZSP though. At 1715hrs we tracked towards Little Barrier, and despite heading into the wind (around 15kns) the sea had flattened nicely making the ride quite pleasant. At 1745hrs we stopped again (50mins) for our final chumming session. This time heaps of Cook's petrels, one probable Pycroft's petrel, a few prions, white-faced storm petrels, black petrels, and flesh-footed, fluttering and Buller's shearwaters; then finally right at the end a couple of NZSPs. One flicked by at a distance heading east, the other we found on the slick when we started heading for home. Our route back took us to the west of Little Barrier and close enough to enjoy its rugged grandeur; and great flocks of fluttering shearwaters of Te Titoki Point. Then plenty more Cook's petrels as we started to cross the shipping channel and make our way towards the Takatu Peninsula. We were back at Sandspit at 2015hrs; a bunch of happy seabirders! Happy New Year and great seabirding! Chris Chris Gaskin Pterodroma Pelagics NZ www.nzseabirds.comSubject: 2010 Pelagics from Madeira Islands From: Wind Birds <hugoromano AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:34:31 -0800 (PST) For the last 5 years we have been operating the Madeira -> Desertas trip on a partnership with other company and for the last 2 we have been working with Hadoram Shirihai finding Zino's petrels at sea. After good research, customer input and a the acquisition of a new boat we now have the perfect sea trips for seabirds in Madeira, exclusively dedicated to birdwatchers: Zino's Petrel Pelagic Expedition 3 consecutive days pelagic trip to observe and photograph Zino's, Fea's and Bulwer's Petrels, Cory's, Manx and Little Shearwaters, Madeira, White-faced and Wilson's storm-petrels and any vagrants that might be around... As Hadoram baptized it, is "the best Western Palearctic pelagic expedition"! Confirmed dates for 2010: May 14, 15, 16 (Full) May 24, 25, 26 June 2, 3, 4 http://www.madeirawindbirds.com/en/tours/zinos_petrel_pelagic_expedition.html Desertas Islands Birding Trip On this trip we sail about 63 nautical miles, around the 3 Desertas Islands, looking for every kind of bird activity, in or out of the water. Just before sunset we will land at Deserta Grande for a short walk around, have dinner and wait for the seabirds to start coming into land, for their nests, to hear their calls. Birdwatcher's experience of Desertas islands in Madeira archipelago. Ideal trip for Petrels, Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels Night and Day. Starts at 3pm lasts about 12 hours. Price €75/person Confirmed dates for 2010: Wednesday, 7th July (Full) Thursday, 15th July Thursday, 29th July Wednesday, 25th August Wednesday, 8th September http://www.madeirawindbirds.com/en/tours/madeira_desertas_for_birding.html Hope you join us in a pelagic trip but be swift as availability is limited! Hugo Romano PS: If Albatrosses are seen in England they have to pass through Madeira ;) -- Madeira Wind Birds email: info AT madeirabirds.com sites: www.madeirawindbirds.com / www.madeirabirds.com ph: +351-917777441 / +351-291098007 twitter: AT windbirds AT adaptive-- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: Magenta Petrel (again!) From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:23:12 -0800 (PST) On Nov 27, 6:09ďż˝pm, John Brodie-Good wrote: > Pete Fraser is delighted to report this species, again seen from the ďż˝ > 'Spirit of Enderby', on her annual Sub-Antarctic Islands of NZ > > > We had a Magenta today at 10.30 am at 176;53 E 44;53 S this is the ďż˝ > > most northerly at sea record. On the subject of Magenta Petrel, Hadoram Shirihai and myself are planning a major pelagic out from the Chatham Islands in 2010, specifically to study and photograph this species at sea (plus Chatham Petrel...and others). Imagine the scene as countless seabirds - including abundant albatrosses and petrels - come to the chum! The critically endangered Magenta Petrel has been recorded further north then John and Pete infer. Indeed, the type was shot from the decks of the 'Magenta', an Italian warship, south of Easter Island (and DNA sequencing last year confirmed this to be the same as the Taiko of the Chathams). Similar birds were seen south-east of Easter Island and to the north of Chile's Juan Fernandez Islands also. Additionally, Howell et al had three sightings (1992 and 1995), both north and south of the Juan Fernandez group, of birds almost undoubtedly Magenta Petrels (and all observers concerned were familiar with the Pacific confusion species, Phoenix Petrel). So, there are other records from north of the latitude of New Zealand and if you want to see Magenta Petrel either spend time in Chilean waters, particularly around the Juan Fernandez Islands, try west of the Humboldt Current, or.....join Hadoram and myself next year! Register your interest (to Email address above) and we'll update you, once we know more, on the boat, dates and costs. Best regards TonyPym -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Gulf of Alaska, Aug 2010: second trip added From: John Puschock <g_g_allin AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:24:58 +0000 Howdy all, Right before the holidays may not be the best time to announce a new trip, but maybe some of you are looking for last-minute gift ideas. :) About a month ago, I announced a Gulf of Alaska pelagic trip. That trip (Aug 19-22) is now waitlist only so I'm adding another one. Here are the details: Dates: Aug 16-19 Departure location: Homer, Alaska Price: $1240/person plus a fuel surcharge (estimated to be $200-300/person) Other info: We will be going to Portlock Bank and the continental shelf edge. Probably species include Short-tailed Albatross and Mottled Petrel among others. We'll also be looking for "good for Alaska" shearwaters (Pink-footed, Buller's, etc.) and south Polar Skua. See http://www.zbirdtours.com/pelagic/gulf_pelagic2010.htm for more information. Thanks, John Puschock Seattle, WA g_g_allin AT hotmail.com http://www.zbirdtours.com & http://www.birdtreks.com _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Free, trusted and rich email service. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/171222984/direct/01/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Pair jailed for shooting Kittiwakes From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:39:16 +0000 Two people have been jailed in the UK for shooting Kittiwakes. They shot nine birds that were on nests at night, one used a spotlight and the other an air rifle but were seen by a witness who called the police. A police helicopter was launched which got them on film. They were prosecuted under the 'Wildlife and Countryside Act'. They were jailed for (only) 5 weeks, but the prosecution, and use of a helicopter, show these crimes are simply not acceptable in England. To read the story, please see: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/tyne/8421753.stm _________________________________________________________________ Got more than one Hotmail account? Save time by linking them together http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394591/direct/01/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Andrew's Pt., Rockport, Massachusetts Seawatch; 9 December 2009. From: Richard Heil <rsheil AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:11:34 -0500 WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2009: ANDREW'S POINT, ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS Seawatch (0645-1550 hrs) Weather: Overcast, rain, E winds 30-50 mph, becoming ESE late, 37-38 F. Seas: 4-6' gradually building to 10-14' Visibilirty: Fair to very good; down to 3/4 mile in heavier rain and fog but with intermittent clear outs with visibility 3-5+ miles. Richard S. Heil Finally an intense storm with strong Easterly winds, really the only one of the season. The result was an excellent seabird parade past the point including two new late dates for Sooty and Manx Shearwaters, and a near record high count for Northern Fulmar. Many December stats were broken as well. At times it was a frenzied scene, with dozens of fulmars (some just off the rocks), mixed flocks of Razorbills and murres whirring past, along with a continuous stream of gannets and kittiwakes, all in view at once! Every so often single Pomarine Jaegers would join the procession, or two, or three; and once, five together. American Black Duck (8) Greater Scaup (34) Common Eider (75) Harlequin Duck (36) Surf Scoter (17) White-winged Scoter (9) Black Scoter (37) dark-winged scoter sp. (15) Oldsquaw (120) Common Goldeneye (9) Red-breasted Merganser (17) Red-throated Loon (23) Common Loon (4) Red-necked Grebe (4) Northern Fulmar (816) : 89 dark morph, 727 light morph = 10.9% dark; 2nd highest count, just shy of the record of 830 on 10/16/2002 Greater Shearwater (21) : Late, although not the latest record here (cf., 2 inds. on 12/15.1999); New December high count. SOOTY SHEARWATER (1) : Latest record; First December record (cf., 1 on 11/25/2008). MANX SHEARWATER (1) : Latest record; First December record (cf., 1 on 11/25/08). Northern Gannet (2510) : Overwhelmingly adults 90%; New December high count almost five times the previous December high. DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT (1-1W) ; Late; Second December record. Great Cormorant (4) Purple Sandpiper (3) Black-legged Kittiwake (2425) : New December high count (cf., 1320 on 12/11/1992); 11% - 1st-winter immatures. This was only the 4th count over 2000 (cf., 4300 on 11/3/1999). Bonaparte's Gull (39) Ring-billed Gull (8) Herring Gull (140+) Great Black-backed Gull (35+) Pomarine Jaeger (55) : Third highest count and new December high count (cf., 107 on 11/17/2002); 6+ adults today, and several all dark birds. Dovekie (29) Common Murre (108) Fourth highest count (cf., 420-12/12/2002); Most fully in winter plumage but two birds in partial breeding hood; Prior to 2002, a rare seabird in Massachusetts waters. Thick-billed Murre (22) Razorbill (746) large alcid sp. (140+) Black Guillemot (11) Richard S. Heil S. Peabody, MA rsheil AT comcast.net This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: NEW! The West African Pelagic From: John Brodie-Good <john.brodiegood AT btinternet.com> Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 17:29:02 +0000 Hi seabirders, We have another new voyage, this time a more affordable venture onto the oceans, from the Cape Verde Islands to Madeira in Spring 2011. Details can be read below. Non-UK residents can also be quoted in, and pay in Euros. There are direct flights from North America to Cape Verde and flights back via Lisbon. For reservations please e-mail tours AT wildwings.co.uk All the best John Brodie-Good WildWings UK NEW! THE WEST AFRICAN PELAGIC Cape Verdes to Madeira Seabirds and Cetaceans of Macronesia We are pleased to offer another new, very affordable itinerary, which will appeal to all seabird and cetacean buffs, to an area where some highly desired West Palearctic tubenoses can be seen, some of which are in the process of ongoing species ‘splitting’at this time. By the time it actually happen additional texts will be available to aid ID. This voyage potentially saves a lot of money compared to the series of multi-island visits currently required to see these species. These seas are generally calm and therefore the chances of a high cetacean list also seem strong. A WildWings evening log will be held nightly onboard followed by ID discussions and the day’s photo analysis after dinner for those interested. We will encourage the use of onboard walkie-talkie radios to try and maximise everyone’s personal sightings. Daylight hours will be from 0600 to 1900 increasing by an hour by the end of the voyage. Our voyage will start in Praia, Cape Verdes and sail north, hugging the coast of West Africa and finally via the Canary Islands to Madeira (see itinerary below). There are no landings. Potential seabirds include Scopoli’s, Cape Verde , Cory’s, Little and Manx Shearwaters, Fea’s and Zino’s Petrels, White-faced, Madeiran, Monteiro’s and Wilson’s Storm-Petrels, Bulwer’s Petrel, Red-billed Tropicbird and Brown Booby. Other species should include skuas plus various terns and gulls and of course with being out on the ocean the odd surprise or two! We will chum at certain points during the voyage to try and bring closer seabirds to us. We will also offer optional land birding on Cape Verde and Madeira subject to group demand. The cetacean list could include Sperm, Fin and Short-finned Pilot Whales plus Common, Bottlenose, Atlantic Spotted and Rough-toothed Dolphins but many more species of whale and dolphin are likely too including various beaked whales. Other marine life such as Loggerhead Turtles, Ocean Sunfish plus flying fish and flying squid should also be encountered. This voyage will be in effect a second extension of the 2011 Atlantic Odyssey but you may join the ship just for this 8 night sector. Our ship will be the newly converted Plancuis, a comfortable expedition cruise ship that is currently in Antarctica for it’s first passenger season. She carries a maximum of 110 passengers in triple, twin and superior twin cabins, all with shower and wc and a window or port hole. More importantly she boasts lots of open deck space, allowing excellent viewing in all directions, perfect for a pelagic. She has a restaurant and a spacious observation lounge and bar with panoramic windows on deck 5. Itinerary Day 1: Embark and sail, late afternoon from Praia, Cape Verde. Day 2: At sea in the waters of the Cape Verdes, circumnavigations of both Branco and Raso are planned. Day 3: At sea heading north east towards the coast of Africa. Day 4: Sailing north along the shelf-edge, off Mauritania (18 degrees north) Days 5 & 6: Continue sailing north along the shelf-edge off the coast of the Western Sahara (22 and 26 degrees north) Day 7: Morning sailing through the Canaries, evening circumnavigation of the Salvage Islands. Day 8: Early morning circumnavigation of the Desertas. Arrive Funchal Madeira at approx 1100, disembark. NB: As applies to all expedition cruises, the exact sea itinerary will be subject to weather, local conditions and government permissions. Holiday Information Leaders: Simon Cook and John Brodie-Good plus the ship’s staff. Dates: 3rd – 10th May 2011 Vessel: Plancius,all cabins with private facilities. Triple berths GBP999 Twin share GBP1199 Twin share superior GBP1299 Single cabins x 1.7 of twin share price All prices per person. Deposit 10% Price includes: Voyage with accommodation as booked, including all meals, infinite tea and coffee, Zodiac cruises if applicable, port taxes, services of ship’s team, daily sea watching sessions and evening log (at sea), services of WildWings leader/s, pre-voyage information pack and day by day bird and mammal checklist. Price excludes: Flights (UK – Praia, Funchal – UK from Ł769 including taxes), vessel fuel surcharges if applicable, onboard crew gratuities (suggested Euros10 a day on board ship), travel insurance, pre and/or post voyage hotels, other drinks and items of a personal nature. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Fiji Petrel seen from Clipper Odyssey From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2009 15:14:36 +0000 From Tony Pym, received from Zegrahm and 'Clipper Odyssey'; Quote - It was during this time at sea that an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime sighting was made—on December 1, 2009, at 21° 32´ S, 179° 18´ W, at a water depth of 12,000 feet, water temperature 76.2 °F—two Fiji Petrels were seen. Identified by ornithologist and seabird expert, Peter Harrison, and noted ornithologist, Jonathan Rossouw, this species was first discovered in 1855 and was not seen again until around 1984. It was first photographed at sea in May of 2009 and the observations of two birds on December 1st constitute only the second sighting of this bird at sea. No photographs were taken as each sighting was of a single bird that flew past the starboard side of the ship at a range of less than 600 feet with little time for cameras to be reached. -unquote (Location is 219 nm SSE of Gau Island, Fiji and 225 nm WSW of Tonga) _________________________________________________________________ Add your Gmail and Yahoo! Mail email accounts into Hotmail - it's easy http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/186394592/direct/01/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: final days in Southern California bight From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 5 Dec 2009 06:36:30 -0800 (PST) Hi Birders, Our final day, sea day #80 of this coastal Delphinus species cruise. Since 7 September, when we departed San Francisco, we've been surveying mostly near shore, with a few lines taking us up to 118 nmi south of San Clemente Island (but not often enough!). Leg 2, we worked the entire length of the Baja California peninsula. The past week or so we found a couple Arctic Terns (apparently very late I've just learned), some Elegant Terns, a few thousand Pink- footed Shearwaters, several Flesh-footed, Short-tailed, Sooty and Buller's Shearwaters, hundreds of Northern Fulmars (at least 300 in a single flock), a couple of Black-legged Kittiwakes, a scattering of Leach's and Ashy Storm-Petrels, and lots of the usual gulls, loons, pelicans and Cassin's and Rhinoceros Auklets. There were also a couple of Red-billed Tropicbirds around San Nicolas Island last week. We found only 1 Brown Booby this entire leg, 21 Nov, about 1 nmi off Anacapa Island. I was surprised at the numbers of Bonaparte's Gulls in Santa Monica Bay. Twice we saw more than 20,000 birds, one day over 25,000. I suppose this is an annual staging area for them? Unexpected was an immature Northern Harrier about 30 nmi southwest of San Clemente Island. Exciting and remarkable to see was a tightly packed group of at least 130 Sperm Whales that we spent some time with. That's easily the most Sperm Whales I've seen at once. Happy seabirding, Michael Michael Force currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II 10 nmi NW of San Nicolas Island, CA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: Fw: Observgation from ships From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:50:58 -0800 (PST) Thank you Gail for posting your observations. It's been a few years since I've done any pelagic work off Chile. I found it interesting comparing the point of view from a cruise ship with that of a research vessel. I've worked on almost 20 different ships over the years and wonder what it would be like to be so high above the sea. I have yet to be exposed to the level of comfort afforded by a cruise ship. happy seabirding, Michael On Nov 27, 5:25 am, Gail MackiernanSubject: Magenta Petrel (again!) From: John Brodie-Good <john.brodiegood AT btinternet.com> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:09:52 +0000 Hi all, Pete Fraser is delighted to report this species, again seen from the 'Spirit of Enderby' , on her annual Sub-Antarctic Islands of NZ and Australia/Birding Downunder voyage..... > > > > We had a Magenta today at 10.30 am at 176;53 E 44;53 S this is the > most northerly at sea record. Otherwise all birds to plan, Campbell > Island and it's teal a bit of a wash out, but 10 had brief views. > Enderby Island superb, loads of AI Snipe. Extra seabirds included > double figures Grey Petrel and Blue Petrel, on account of XTRa cold > spring weather, seas mostly huge. > We still have berths available for 2011 if you want to experience this superb pelagic. http://www.wildwings.co.uk/subantislands.html Regards John Brodie-Good WildWings UK -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: Fw: Observgation from ships From: Gail Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 08:25:51 -0500 Hi - I would add to Bill's comments that many cruise ships have front enclosed observation areas on their upper decks near (below or in some cases, above) the level of the bridge. (Which is off-limits on cruise ships although we have traded info with the officers on watch re whales and other sightings.) These can be good in poor weather, although at such times we usually find a spot out of the wind on the promenade deck as we prefer being closer to the water. On the HAL ships noted earlier the configuration of the bow and the solid railing actually provide an almost windless area (near the flag mast and ship's bell). We occupied this throughout our cold north Pacific cruise (Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska) except for a few days of rain/snow. Leaving Dutch Harbor we were in a near-gale and near-blizzard at 20F so forced to retreat to the side decks. Some ships have inside windows 2-3 decks below the promenade which can provide amazing looks at things such as prions as they are virtually at eye level. Another thing we do is try to get up before the crew and search the decks for birds. The appropriate officers/crew are alerted as soon as we get on board and birds are often brought to our attention. On this past trip my husband had to climb up a series of outside metal ladders to get to a bird reported to us by crew; he was hoping for an interesting seabird but it turned out to be a Sora -- which promptly ran off into an inaccessible spot! (It later left the ship but several 100 miles south of where it first arrived!) On our west Pacific run we had several dozen caledonica Gould's Petrels on board in the early morning as we approached Noumea, as well as shearwaters; all were in OK shape and released unharmed. Conversely we have had some interesting land birds come aboard, including a Temminck's Stint in US waters and several Woodcock and a Hoopoe off Okinawa. These are what we oceanographers term "ships of opportunity" and, along with ferries, commercial fishing ships, research and cargo vessels, provide sea-birders with a chance to visit regions of the ocean inaccessible to smaller vessels. However, as Bill notes, you have to look carefully at the route and accept passing through good areas at night! Gail Mackiernan Silver Spring, MD on 11/27/2009 7:04 AM, William Bourne at wrpbourne AT yahoo.co.uk wrote: --- On Fri, 27/11/09, William BourneSubject: Fw: Observgation from ships From: William Bourne <wrpbourne AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:04:39 +0000 (GMT) --- On Fri, 27/11/09, William BourneSubject: RE: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later From: "Alvaro Jaramillo" <chucao AT coastside.net> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 18:37:25 -0800 Gail I look forward to the details! Note that Buller's is absent from Chile in spring. They arrive mid summer and stay into the early fall (Jan - March). That seems to be the window of occurrence, with the small but growing data we have in the country. We now track our records on e-bird, so if you can input any of your stuff from Chile into e-bird, it means it will get into our rare bird summaries in "La Chiricoca" and therefore will be passed on to Chilean birders. Here is a link to the latest Chiricoca, which almost always has some good seabird records, it is in Spanish however: http://www.redobservadores.cl/chiricoca_vol-1.html and a direct link to the latest sightings: http://www.redobservadores.cl/pdf/9/ch_9_part10.pdf With photos of Chile's first Gull-billed Tern and Herring Gull, as well as photos of Common Diving-Petrel in Puerto Montt, Sabine's Gull off Valparaiso, and Chatham Albatross. cheers, Alvaro Alvaro Jaramillo chucao AT coastside.net Half Moon Bay, California Field Guides - Birding Tours Worldwide www.fieldguides.com -----Original Message----- From: Gail Mackiernan [mailto:katahdinss AT comcast.net] Sent: Thursday, November 26, 2009 5:30 AM To: Seabird News Subject: [Seabird-News:1152] Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later H all -- Four of us just returned from a long cruise aboard a commercial liner (m/s Veendam) from San Diego California to Valparaiso Chile, Oct. 31 to Nov. 19. Still sorting out all the records and Tony Quinn and Peter Colston are reviewing the reams of photos and video taken, but a very good trip. Off South America we were often further at sea (140-160 nm) than ideal (would have preferred to have been more in the main Humboldt current) which may have lost us some species but nevertheless enjoyed excellent close looks at 100s of Galapagos Petrels, as well as Tahiti, Juan Fernandez, De Filippe's, and a few Cook's, plus the expected storm-petrels (e.g. 100s of Hornby's on one day just under our bow), Waved and Buller's albies but alas no "great" albatrosses. Had an adult Swallow-tailed Gull about 150 nm north of the Equator (plus many more at sea off Chile), most of the expected shearwaters including Christmas, but interestingly, no Buller's which was abundant during our Scripps El Nino cruise in January 1998 in the same waters (Cotinga 15). All the expected boobies, skuas and gulls as well. Thousands of Black Terns at sea, very unexpected. This ship is ideal for seabirding as one can stand in the very bow, protected from the wind by the railing, and use one's scopes. Rather like a movable sea-watch! I will post a summary when all is sorted and we will also do a full trip report in coming months. Cheers, Happy Thanksgiving! Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Maryland, USA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later From: Gail Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 12:04:48 -0500 Hi -- We have been doing cruise-ship birding for some time now -- since 2003 in fact -- with excellent results. Angus is correct, you have to sort out which ships are good and which are not (for sea-watching). Most are actually okay if not ideal. In general, the Holland-America ships Veendam, Statendam and several of their sister ships, allow free access to the bow and are excellent -- birds often coming off the water right in front and allowing superb looks. This was especially true on our Osaka to Vancouver trip in 2007. The large Princess ships of the Star Princess class have a covered promenade walkway below bow level which again allows direct frontal viewing; in 2008 we took a trip from Buenos Aires and back to the Antarctic on the Star and had wonderful birding. On most ships the covered promenade (side) deck provides acceptable viewing, although one always worries that you are missing stuff on the other side! The stern can also be good -- especially on the Drake Passage run when birds often follow in the wake. On the old Royal Princess (now sailing under the P&O flag as the Artemis) we had 57 Wandering (Snowy) Albatrosses in our wake at one point crossing the Drake and had two well-photographed Antipodeans follow us for hours off Chile, only swerving away as we entered inshore waters off Chiloe Island. The stern configuration of the newer (huge) ships does not seem to be as attractive; whether this is a function of their "draft" or the intimidating size of the vessels I am not sure. The old Royal was a "small" ship (650-700 passengers) with a stern configuration of multiple flying decks aft, much like the old Marco Polo. On this ship we 6 birders essentially took over the shuffleboard deck and viewed to each side, as the bow was too windy except during "scenic cruising." We do tend to attract some attention and on the Royal Princess Antarctic trip we ended up with a lot of other birders of varying degrees of seriousness out on deck with us. I knew we had made some progress when a passenger came up to me and asked, "those little gray birds are prions. right?" Have actually not found speed to be a serious issue; most ships cruise at 15-20 knots and when doing "scenic cruising" -- e.g. Gerlache Straits -- or coming in or out of ports speed is reduced to 5-10 knots or less. Many birds actually zip in for a quick look before winging off. Of course there is no chasing of birds and no chumming so it is really more like a "moveable sea-watch." Angus is also right that this allows a non-birding spouse to enjoy a vacation as well; on two of our trips one serious lister brought his non-birding wife and she had a great time, enjoying the spa, shows and fancy dining whilst we put in our hours on deck! The price is also right -- the 16-day trip from Buenos Aires to Antarctica, with stops at Falklands, Ushuaia, and Pta. Arenas cost $1000 pp for an inside 2-person cabin. Of course you can spend a lot on alcohol, casino, spa, internet etc. etc. if you are not careful. This is how the cruise companies make their profit so be fore-warned! We have done quite a few trips now and find the most interesting to the sea-birder to be any Antarctic. esp. one from Rio or B.A. to Valpo; Japan to Vancouver esp. if there is a stop in Petropavlosk, thus including some passage in Bering Sea and near Commodore Islands; Australia to New Zealand or Aus to Vanuatu or Fiji, esp. if there is a stop at New Caledonia (Kagu!); of course west coast of the Americas. Cheers, Gail on 11/26/2009 8:58 AM, Angus Wilson at oceanwanderers AT gmail.com wrote: Gail, Sounds like you had a great cruise there and your comments about the suitability of the ship for seawatching are exactly the sort of 'insider tip' that I hope to see on Seabird-News. I often field questions about the seawatching possibilities from cruise ships/liners but rarely know the answer. Some vessels are probably dreadful because they don't allow passengers on the bow, are too massive or travel too fast. Clearly there are exceptions. Cruise ships can provide a less expensive option to expedition ships, offer greater flexibility with respect to timing and trip length than research cruises and just as importantly, allow seabirders to combine their passion with family/spousal obligations! Cheers, Angus -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:58:47 -0500 Gail, Sounds like you had a great cruise there and your comments about the suitability of the ship for seawatching are exactly the sort of 'insider tip' that I hope to see on Seabird-News. I often field questions about the seawatching possibilities from cruise ships/liners but rarely know the answer. Some vessels are probably dreadful because they don't allow passengers on the bow, are too massive or travel too fast. Clearly there are exceptions. Cruise ships can provide a less expensive option to expedition ships, offer greater flexibility with respect to timing and trip length than research cruises and just as importantly, allow seabirders to combine their passion with family/spousal obligations! Cheers, Angus -- Angus Wilson New York City & The Springs, NY, USA http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: possible Streaked Shearwater From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:38:11 -0800 (PST) Thanks for your input Nate. Yes indeed. I've seen plenty of Streaked and Cory's Shearwaters and they do have a very distinctive lazy flight, Cory's particularly reminiscent of an albatross. That said, the bird we saw the other day did possess such a manner of flight. However, it was ridiculously distant, and I would like a little more than that before I call it a Cory's! Pretty sure that's what it was though. Too bad it was so far away. happy seabirding, Michael On Nov 25, 7:26 am, Nate DiasSubject: Back from long eastern Pacific cruise -- details later From: Gail Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:29:49 -0500 H all -- Four of us just returned from a long cruise aboard a commercial liner (m/s Veendam) from San Diego California to Valparaiso Chile, Oct. 31 to Nov. 19. Still sorting out all the records and Tony Quinn and Peter Colston are reviewing the reams of photos and video taken, but a very good trip. Off South America we were often further at sea (140-160 nm) than ideal (would have preferred to have been more in the main Humboldt current) which may have lost us some species but nevertheless enjoyed excellent close looks at 100s of Galapagos Petrels, as well as Tahiti, Juan Fernandez, De Filippe's, and a few Cook's, plus the expected storm-petrels (e.g. 100s of Hornby's on one day just under our bow), Waved and Buller's albies but alas no "great" albatrosses. Had an adult Swallow-tailed Gull about 150 nm north of the Equator (plus many more at sea off Chile), most of the expected shearwaters including Christmas, but interestingly, no Buller's which was abundant during our Scripps El Nino cruise in January 1998 in the same waters (Cotinga 15). All the expected boobies, skuas and gulls as well. Thousands of Black Terns at sea, very unexpected. This ship is ideal for seabirding as one can stand in the very bow, protected from the wind by the railing, and use one's scopes. Rather like a movable sea-watch! I will post a summary when all is sorted and we will also do a full trip report in coming months. Cheers, Happy Thanksgiving! Gail Mackiernan and Barry Cooper Maryland, USA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Pelagic Trip #34 off Port MacDonnell South Australia 22nd November 2009 From: mariner <diomedea1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Thu, 26 Nov 2009 04:39:25 -0800 (PST) Pelagic day trips from Port MacDonnell are run once or twice per month
between September and May by the South Australian Ornithological
Association on a non-profit basis.
Boat : 'Remarkable' 16 metres, cray fishing and charter.
Personnel : Jamie Moody (Skipper) , John (Mate) plus 13 birders.
Synoptic Situation : Inland trough through South Australia, small low
SW from Port MacDonnell, approaching front.
Weather : Overcast with early rain partially clearing during day. Wind
15-20 knots SW all day.
Seas : Choppy conditions with 1 - 2m waves and whitecaps. Sea
temperature 12.5C
Route : Sailed 0605 and headed south to ' hotspot' at 38.4S 140.6E
depth 750 metres until 1030 then south to 38.5S 140.6E depth 1100
metres. Returned to Port Mac at 1400.
Birds
Inshore to 200 metre depth contour
Shy Albatross 10
Black-browed Albatross 1
Yellow-nosed Albatross 1
Short-tailed Shearwater 5
Australasian Gannet 20
Over shelf edge depths 200 - 1100 metres
Wandering Albatross 5 adult 1 immature
Shy Albatross 20
Black-browed Albatross 1 adult, 1 immature
Yellow-nosed Albatross 1
Northern Giant Petrel 1
Great-winged Petrel 200 (most race gouldi)
White-chinned Petrel 1
Cape Petrel 1
COOK'S PETREL 1
Fairy Prion 2
Sooty Shearwater 1
Short-tailed Shearwater 20
Flesh-footed Shearwater 5
White-faced Storm-petrel 5
Australasian Gannet 5
Crested Tern 3
Notes : Highlight of the trip was the Cook's Petrel which made two
passes of the boat, the first within 20 metres
about 30 minutes apart. Ventral and dorsal view
photographs were obtained. The first record for South
Australian waters. Trip organised by Colin Rogers with
Stuart Hull recorder and chief berleyman.
Neil Cheshire
Encounter Bay
South Australia.
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Subject: Fregetta storm-petrel reported from Severn
Estuary (England)From: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:13:51 -0800 (PST) A remarkable sighting if confirmed. I don't know if there are any photos. This from the web page of the Severnside Bird Club: http://www.severnsidebirds.co.uk/page4.html November 25th Another windy day and a remarkable first for Britain. A Black-bellied Storm Petrel was found off Severn Beach at 8.20 this morning, lingering off the sea wall until 8.35 and seen several more times at distance until 9.40 when it was lost to view (at the present time the possibility of White-bellied Storm Petrel has not been completely eliminated).....Other sightings from Severn Beach were trivial in comparison but did include 4 Leach’s Petrels, a Little Auk (at midday), a Grey Phalarope (flew west at 12.45), a pale form Pomarine Skua (at 1.30), a Great Skua, 80 Kittiwakes, 90 Turnstones and a Peregrine. If the the strong winds continue some of these birds may remain for a few more days..... Cheers, Angus Wilson New York City, USA http://oceanwanderersnews.blogspot.com/ http://birdingtotheend.blogspot.com/ http://oceanwanderersbooks.blogspot.com/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en.Subject: Re: possible Streaked Shearwater From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:26:28 -0800 (PST) Michael, As usual, I enjoy living vicariously through reading your reports. You did not mention one of the key field marks for Streaked Shearwaters versus Pink-footed and others - the very languid flight style that is a hallmark of Calonectris Shearwaters. (well, you might have mentioned it in passing - I just re-read your message and saw the bit about it flying away 'lazily' ) I have only seen 3 Streaked Shearwaters (all off CA), but each one had a strikingly different flight style from other pacific Shearwaters, and was a dead ringer for the flight style of Cory's Shearwaters I am so used to in the Atlantic. This flight style (and to a much lesser extent the bird's size) made it easy to "get on" a couple of those Streaked Shearwaters again and again, after losing them amid large flocks while helping other birders get on them. Nathan Dias - Charleston, SC PS If only NOAA would focus on seabirds during their Atlantic research cruises as much as they do on Pacific ones. Or even close to as much. I just don't understand the apparent difference in culture/mindset between them... As one example: NOAA has done multiple expeditions to the Charleston Bump, with nary a seabird researcher or spotter on board. This is too bad, as there is a lot that could be learned there about Black-capped Petrels, Bermuda Petrels and other severely at-risk species... Subject: possible Streaked Shearwater From: ForceSubject: Contacting Greg Baker From: "tubenose AT tiscali.co.uk" <tubenose@tiscali.co.uk> Date: Sat, 21 Nov 2009 08:44:41 +0100 (GMT+01:00) Is anyone able to put me in touch with Greg Baker from the UK who posts seabird video on the Internet Bird Collection http://ibc.lynxeds.com? Thanks, Bob Flood Legal music downloads to keep at no cost - http://www.tiscali.co.uk/downloads -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=.Subject: Re: possible Streaked Shearwater From: "Terry Hunefeld" <sdbirder AT fastmail.fm> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:35:31 -0800 wooo-hooooo Hey Mike cool report.... you are our eyes in the eastern Pacific... reading your reports are *almost* as good as being there.... best wishes for more rarities! -- Terry thunefeld AT gmail.com W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips by: Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands & Nine Mile Bank all the way to the edge of the Continental Shelf ----- Original message ----- From: "Force"Subject: possible Streaked Shearwater From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:26:15 -0800 (PST) Birders, For any birders venturing off shore in the next little while I thought I'd pass on a bird seen today believed to be a Streaked Shearwater. Distance and lighting conditions preclude making a definitive identification, feeling it's best to be cautious with these species which can show some extreme variation. I've seen plenty of Streaked Shearwaters around the Marianas Islands and their white head can be striking at a distance, such as the bird seen today. Its underparts were pure white, the underwings also appeared white. I couldn't see the distinctive carpal patch formed by the brownish under primary coverts. It was Pink-footed sized, and brown on the upperparts.. It was a cloudless morning, the light was low off the port bow, some haze and I was using prism-stabilised 20x and ship-mounted 25x binoculars. Not long after getting on the 25x, the bird promptly turned and lazily flew directly away into the glare! By then, it was almost 2 nmi away. Not the best sighting conditions by any stretch of the imagination. Pelagic birding has more than its fair share of "ones that got away". We never saw it again and it remains unidentified. Plenty of seabirds and high diversity the past few days, particularly in the Outer Santa Barbara Channel, southeast of San Nicolas Island. Six species of shearwaters, all the expected ones (two Flesh-foots today), thousands of Pink-foots, and lots of fulmars (over a hundred today). An adult Red-billed Tropicbird seen executing a heart stopping high-altitude plunge dive was a classy species we hadn't seen for a while. happy seabirding, Michael Force currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II about 85 nmi S of San Nicolas Island, CA -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=.Subject: Yay Re: Laysan Albatross "AL" returns From: Nate Dias <offshorebirder AT yahoo.com> Date: Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:26:48 -0800 (PST) That is great news!!!!!! You brought a tear to my eye with your post Bob. I had been worried by his injured leg during his last "visit". I have not seen Al for a few years, but I always try to keep up with his activities from afar. I love that bird more than most of the people I know (including relatives). Best Regards, Nate Dias - Charleston, SC Subject: Laysan Albatross "AL" returns From: "Robert J. Keiffer"Subject: Alaska pelagics 2010: Gulf of Alaska and the Aleutians From: John Puschock <g_g_allin AT hotmail.com> Date: Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:20:24 +0000 Hi all, I have several Alaskan trips with pelagic birding opportunities planned in 2010. All of them are on the M/V Pukuk, 72-foot vessel (http://www.pukuk.com): 1) In May, the boat will travel from Homer to Adak for a cruise to Attu and then return to Dutch Harbor. The scheduled dates and prices for these repositioning cruises are as follows (dates may change by one day; prices include meals): Homer - Dutch Harbor; May 10-13; $600 Dutch Harbor - Adak; May 13-15; $400 Adak - Dutch Harbor; May 30-June 2; $600 The first two legs will largely be devoted to traveling without much stopping for birds and there may not be a leader on board, but an effort will be made for Whiskered Auklets as time permits. The Adak-Dutch Harbor leg will have at least one leader on board, (i.e., me) and more time will be devoted to birding with extra time spent in Seguam Pass, a Short-tailed Albatross hotspot. Whiskered Auklets are expected between Dutch Harbor and Adak. Red-legged Kittiwake and Mottled Petrel are possible. This is probably the cheapest (I probably should say 'least expensive' ) opportunity for these species short of working on a research or fishing boat. 2) There's still room for two on the cruise from Adak to Attu, May 16-30. Cruise time between Adak and Attu is about two days, so there would be about four days of cruising and about nine-and-a-half days at Attu. If the weather is 'too nice' while we're at Attu, there's also a possibility of taking a day to visit Stalemate Bank. Price is $8694 plus a fuel surcharge (estimated to be $700-950/person). Whiskered Auklets and four other auklet species are expected; Short-tailed Albatross, Mottled Petrel, Red-legged Kittiwake are possible. See http://www.zbirdtours.com/attu/attu_spring2010.htm for more info. 3) The Gulf of Alaska pelagic is Aug 19-22, leaving from and returning to Homer. Price is $1330 plus a fuel surcharge (estimated to be $200-300/person). We will be going to Portlock Bank and the continental shelf edge. Probable species include Short-tailed Albatross and Mottled Petrel among others. We'll also be looking for "good-for-Alaska" shearwaters (Pink-footed, Buller's, etc.) and South Polar Skua. Guest spotter Paul Lehman is scheduled to be onboard. See http://www.zbirdtours.com/pelagic/gulf_pelagic2010.htm for more info. As always, e-mail me if you have any questions, John Puschock Seattle, WA g_g_allin AT hotmail.com http://www.zbirdtours.com & http://www.birdtreks.com _________________________________________________________________ Hotmail: Trusted email with Microsoft's powerful SPAM protection. http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ http://clk.atdmt.com/GBL/go/177141664/direct/01/ -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com. To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com. For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=.Subject: Andrew's Pt., Rockport, MA Seawatch; 14 Nov. 2009 From: Richard Heil <rsheil AT comcast.net> Date: Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:01:44 -0500 SATURDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2009: ANDREW'S POINT, ROCKPORT, MASSACHUSETTS Seawatch (0630-1415 hrs.) Weather: Overcast, periodic rain, winds NE 20-30 mph, becoming ESE 15-25 after 1200 hrs., 48-52. F. Seas: 10-16 feet; Visibility: Mostly very good (3+ miles) but down to about 3/4 mile at times in the afternoon in mod. fog and rain. Richard S. Heil; and Jeremiah Trimble, Marshall Iliff, Tim Spahr for most for the period. Common Eider (198) Harlequin Duck (32) Surf Scoter (70) White-winged Scoter (20) Black Scoter (15) Oldsquaw (470) Red-breasted Merganser (29) Red-throated Loon (374) Common Loon (44) Horned Grebe (1): Rarely seen moving here, although common along adjacent beach areas. Red-necked Grebe (4): 3 ads., 1-1W Northern Fulmar (4) All light morph. CORY'S SHEARWATER (1): Latest record; First November record. Greater Shearwater (660) SOOTY SHEARWATER (1) : Tie for 3rd latest record; latest is of one on 11/25/08. Northern Gannet (1350) : 80-90% adults Great Cormorant (4) Dunlin (1) Black-legged Kittiwake (283) : 253 ads., 30-1W. Bonaparte's Gull (104) LAUGHING GULL (3 ads.) : Third latest record, latest is of one adult on 11/30/08. Ring-billed Gull (1) Herring Gull (250) Great Black-backed Gull (90) Pomarine Jaeger (10) : At least 3 were adults. jaeger sp. (2) - distant. Common Murre (4) Thick-billed Murre (97) : Excellent flight; New November high count Razorbill (302) large alcid sp. (9) Black Guillemot (14) Richard S. Heil S. Peabody, MA rsheil AT comcast.net This report was generated automatically by eBird v2(http://ebird.org) --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Pelagic Trip #33 off Port MacDonnell South Australia 8th November 2009 From: mariner <diomedea1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Wed, 11 Nov 2009 19:09:11 -0800 (PST)
Pelagic day trips from Port MacDonnell are run monthly between
September and May by the South Australian Ornithological Association
on a non-profit basis.
Boat : 'Remarkable' 16 metres, cray fishing and charter.
Personnel : Mark Moody(Skipper), Jamie Moody(Mate) plus 12 birders.
Synoptic Situation : A large blocking High of 1037 hPa was centred in
the Tasman Sea.
Weather : Cloudless, Wind calm to 5 knots ENE to NE.
Sea : Rippled to calm sea with 1.5 metre SSW swell. Sea Temp. 14 C.
Route: Sailed at 0600 and headed south to 'hotspot' at 38.4S 140.6E
water depth 750 metres, then south again
to 38.5S 140.6E depth 1100 metres.Maximum distance offshore
45 km. Returned to port at 1430.
Inshore water depth to 200 metres
Shy Albatross 15
Short-tailed Shearwater 50
Fluttering Shearwater 20
Australasian Gannet 20
Northern Giant Petrel 1
Over Shelf edge water depth 200 - 1100 metres
Shy Albatross 400
Black-browed Albatross 3 Adult, 5 Immature all nominate race.
Yellow-nosed Albatross 3 Immature
Northern Giant Petrel 5
Great-winged Petrel 1 nominate race, 14 gouldi
White-chinned Petrel 10
Fairy Prion 20
Prion Sp. 1
Sooty Shearwater 1
Short-tailed Shearwater 300
Wilson's Storm-petrel 20
Australasian Gannet 5
Crested Tern 40
Cetaceans : One pod of 30 Long-finned Pilot Whales Globicephala melas
Notes : The lowest species diversity of any trip apart from one made
in thick fog in 2004. The albatrosses were mostly settled on the sea
due to calm or light winds. All the birds seemed to be well fed and
did not show normal interest in the berley. Highlight of the trip was
the close approach of the LF Pilot Whales some of which passed under
our drifting boat. The trip was organised by Colin Rogers with Stuart
Hull as recorder and chief berleyman.
Neil Cheshire
Encounter Bay,
South Australia.
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Subject: Space Available on Sun, Nov. 8 Cape May Pelagic
(8:00-4:00)From: "Paul A. Guris" <paul AT paulagics.com> Date: Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:39:16 -0500 There is still room available on our special 8-hour pelagic trip on Sunday, November 8 for for the Waterbird Society's annual meeting. The trip runs from 8:00 AM to about 4:00 PM, and the cost is $84. The boat will be leavings from Wildwood Crest (see our web site for directions). Target birds at this time of year include Parasitic and Pomarine Jaeger, Black-legged Kittiwake, Red Phalarope, Manx and Greater Shearwater, Northern Gannet, and some of the less common gulls like Iceland, Glaucous, Lesser Black-backed, and Little. The captain has been involved with bird surveys being undertaken to assess risk from wind turbines, and should have good recent knowledge as to what's out there. We will be chumming along the way to bring in jaegers, gulls, and gannets. If you have a decent camera, you might want to bring it for what should be a great opportunity for close-up Northern Gannet photos. Especially for people not from the area, we'll also make an effort to see Great Cormorant. Contact us or go to our web site to sign up, or if you have any questions. Hope to see you aboard. -PAG Paul A. Guris See Life Paulagics P.O. Box 161 Green Lane, PA 18054 www.paulagics.com 215-234-6805 info AT paulagics.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Vanuato Petrel From: William Bourne <wrpbourne AT yahoo.co.uk> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:19:39 +0000 (GMT) It seems time that the history of the discovery of the Vanuatu Petrel
Pterodroma occulta, discussed on 27 October, was explained. In 1962 I was
working through the petrels in the American Museum of Natural History, New
York, when Bob (later Sir Robert) Falla arrived and looked through the drawers
ahead of me. After a while he called out "Look at this!" and there were the
original Whitney South Sea Expedition specimens of the Vanuatu Petrel. We
agreed that they were like the White-necked Petrel P. cervicalis but small- I
am inclined to regard it as a race, but people are more generous in New
Zealand. I asked if I could call it after him, but time passed, and I did not
get round to it, until he reported them himself without a name in Notornis. I
later tried to persuade Gerry Clark to come and look for it in his yacht
Totorore, but he did not fancy the situation, and went off and got drowned at
the Antipodes Islands instead. I wish other peoplke better
luck.
Bill Bourne
wrpbourne AT yahoo.co.uk
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Subject: Announcement: Extreme Gadfly Petrel ExpeditionsFrom: Angus Wilson <oceanwanderers AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:22:42 -0700 (PDT) Background: The following challenging pelagic expeditions are being organised as part of the on-going Tubenoses Project (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. 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 Beck’s Petrel Pterodroma becki in 2007 in the Bismarck archipelago (Shirihai 2008), and the first pelagic observations of Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira in April 2009, off Madeira (Shirihai 2009), and Fiji Petrel Pseudobulweria macgillivrayi, off Gau Island, Fiji (Shirihai et al. 2009). Up-coming expeditions (2009): (1) Search for the Jamaican Petrel (presumed extinct) off Jamaica: 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. The Jamaican Petrel 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. 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. 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. 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. Please contact HS at albatross_shirihai AT hotmail.com to sign on, or for further information about the voyage, its plans and conditions. (2) Search for the recently rediscovered Vanuatu Petrel in the remote Banks Group: 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. The Vanuatu Petrel 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. 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. 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. 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. Please contact directly HS at albatross_shirihai AT hotmail.com to sign up, or for further information about the voyage plans and conditions. Expeditions planned for 2010 & 2011 (further information will be posted nearer the times): 2010: Off Madeira: To study Zino’s Petrel at sea, 20th-30th June (with Hadoram Shirihai & Tony Pym, and the organisation of Madeira Wind Birds). Guadalupe Islands, Mexico: In search of the (believed extinct) Guadalupe Storm Petrel, March 2010 or 2011, with Hadoram Shirihai. 2011-12: Chatham Islands: 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 AT hotmail.com). Juan Fernández archipelago, Chile: 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 AT gmail.com). Eastern Tropical Pacific off Peru: 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 AT gmail.com). Off Reunion, Indian Ocean: Seeking field knowledge on the poorly known Mascarene Petrel Pseudobulweria aterrima with Tony Pym and Hadoram Shirihai (expedition dates to be announced). 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). --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Fwd: [Seabird-News:1136] Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic From: Ross Wanless <rosswanless AT gmail.com> Date: Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:31:03 +0200 Hi John et al The situation is pretty depressing, and those graphic images really bring home some nasty truths about our (collective) callous approach to the earth and the unintended impacts of that attitude. The good news is that enough chicks do fledge that the species is doing OK. The adults dying on longlines is far more serious, and your suggestion to support the Save the Albatross campaign is spot on. Of course I am biased, because that's now part of my job with BirdLife. But there are few more tangible way that birders can make a difference than by supporting causes like the STAC. Cheers Ross On Tue, Oct 27, 2009 at 10:25 PM, John Brodie-GoodSubject: Fwd: [Seabird-News:1136] Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic From: John Brodie-Good <john.brodiegood AT btinternet.com> Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 20:25:42 +0000 There sure are some grim sights on Midway sadly. Fishing floats being the commonest contents of dead chicks, I saw plenty of other stuff in March this year too, biros, toothbrushes, disposable razors including the fancy multi-bladed ones, disposable lighters. perhaps the most shocking was a U.S. type freshwater hook and float, presumably discarded into a West Coast river which was then carried out to the ocean...tubenoses need all the help they can get....don't give Xmas presents this year...make a donation to the Save the Albatross fund instead...those guys are really trying to do something and making some inroads at least Aloha John Begin forwarded message: > From: "Paul A. Guris"Subject: Albatross Chicks Killed by Plastic From: "Paul A. Guris" <paul AT paulagics.com> Date: Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:50:37 -0400
A photographer documented dead albatross chicks on Midway, showing the
amount of plastic that some of them had in their systems. It's a
disturbing set of photographers. They can be seen at:
http://chrisjordan.com/current_set2.php?id=11
-PAG
Paul A. Guris
Green Lane, PA
www.paulagics.com
paul AT paulagics.com
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Subject: Re: Oregon SeabirdsFrom: Angus Wilson <gadflypetrel AT hotmail.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:32:49 -0700 (PDT) Greg, Good luck with the new blog - you have begun with some neat articles. I found the map showing the movement of that young Short-tailed Albatross along the US coastline (link below) particularly interesting. The bird seems to have stayed on the shelf pretty much all the time consistent with the use of inshore habitats by this species. Maybe I missed it, but was the bird traveling north or south? http://oregonseabirds.blogspot.com/2009/10/radio-tagged-short-tailed-albatross.html Angus Wilson New York City, USA http://oceanwanderersnews.blogspot.com/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Oregon Seabirds From: Greg Gillson <greg AT thebirdguide.com> Date: Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:01:54 -0700 (PDT) Friends, The Bird Guide Pelagics has create a blog to replace the mailing list we had. This allows us to send photos and archive the messages. As a sample of what you could expect to read on the blog, please see the recent postings below with topics of recent trip results, future trip announcements, status and distribution articles, ID pointers, and news concerning West Coast seabirds. Trip results: Perpetua Bank, October 3, 2009 Laysan Albatross search trip: Saturday, March 6, 2010 Manx Shearwater status in Oregon White-chinned Petrel in California Solander's Petrel in British Columbia Radio-tagged Short-tailed Albatross visits Oregon Take a look and bookmark this page: http://oregonseabirds.blogspot.com/ Greg Gillson The Bird Guide, Inc. http://thebirdguide.com/pelagics/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: White-chinned Petrel in California From: Michael Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:27:31 -0700 (PDT) Hi birders,
While on the subject of wandering White-chinned Petrels I thought people would
be interested in the following unpublished sighting. Myself, Bob Pitman, Lisa
Ballance and many others saw a White-chinned Petrel 22 September 2000 in the
eastern tropical Pacific Ocean about 650 nmi southwest of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca,
Mexico. The bird followed the ship for almost half an hour and was carefully
studied to eliminate any possibility of it being a Westland Petrel. I've seen
many thousands in the Southern Hemisphere, but this is the first and only one
I've seen north of the Equator.
happy seabirding,
Michael Force
currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur IIjust west of Cabo San Lázaro, BCS
pagodroma AT yahoo.com
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Subject: Re: FW: White-chinned Petrel in California Oct.
18, 2009 -Half Moon BayFrom: "J. BRIAN PATTESON" <patteson1 AT embarqmail.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 18:47:53 -0400 There was also a White-chinned Petrel seen off Oregon Inlet, NC on two occasions in October 1996. The observer even got a photo, but it was a small image, taken on 35mm film w/ a 50mm lens. It certainly looked like a Procellaria petrel in that photo, but not surprisingly, it was not accepted by various records committee people who might not have ever seen a shearwater, let alone a big petrel. The observation was made by a birder working as a fisheries observer on a squid fishing boat, and the bird was seen twice a few days and miles apart. As I recall there were plenty of Greater Shearwaters around, similar to a condition we just had here off Hatteras over the weekend! Brian Patteson Hatteras, NC ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kris Olson"Subject: FW: White-chinned Petrel in California Oct. 18, 2009 -Half Moon Bay From: Kris Olson <kristenolson AT yahoo.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:45:59 -0700 (PDT) Thought you might be intersted in this post from Alvaro Jaramillo. (forwarded by Kris Olson) Subject: White-chinned Petrel in California. From: Alvaro JaramilloSubject: Pelagic trip report - the search for the Sooty Albatross continues From: Ross Wanless <rosswanless AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:58:29 +0200 Trip report for 2-day, deep ocean pelagic trip from Cape Town, by Ross Wanless 16-18 October 2009 Run by BirdLife South Africa’s Seabird Division Following the final evening event of the SOS Festival, 12 dedicated pelagic birders boarded the ketch Maharani at 11 pm and set off for a 2-night, 2-day deep water pelagic experience. The wind had calmed somewhat on Friday, but the sea was still very lumpy following an earlier, big storm. This slowed our progress south dramatically, and made for a very rough welcome for everyone onboard. Dawn on Saturday found most people in varying states of disarray, but fortunately the seas let up as the morning progressed, as did our collective and individual spirits. The birding was, however, superb, and we’d picked up Wandering and Northern Royal albatrosses before long. We came across a trawler as we neared the shelf-break, and added Spectacled Petrel and Black-bellied Storm-Petrels to the list of awesome specials. After enjoying the classic Cape pelagic spectacle behind the trawler, we pushed SW in search of the nearest really deep water. Within 5 minutes of crossing into warm, deep waters we had our first of many Great-winged Petrels, and Soft-plumaged Petrels pitched up as well. There was some intense excitement as two small, pale stormies were sighted in the distance. Although there’s every chance that they were White-faced Storm-Petrels, definitive views were not achieved, and they got away. Chumming with oil and fish failed to bring in additional species, but certainly did allow for some great photo-ops. The seas had calmed to a very pleasant ride, and we passed Saturday night in comfort. By Sunday morning the winds were picking up from the SE, flattening the seas and pushing us homeward. We found a second trawler and again enjoyed some pretty amazing sights, including the addition of Antarctic Fulmar to trip and various life lists. A large albatross was found in the trawler’s wake, and most people were able to get onto it as it sped away. A few hasty photos confirmed that it was an immature Southern Royal Albatross, bringing the trip total to 7 albatross species! As we neared the shore we crossed paths with a humpbacked whale, and a few dusky dolphins played brief escorts as we neared Cape Town harbour. And as for the provocatively named ‘Search for the Sooty Albatross”, the name we gave to this pelagic trip, I guess the search goes on. During the trip we collected data cards for the new AS AT S (‘aysass’ = Atlas of Seabirds at Sea), which was officially launched on Friday night. You can see the of the second Maharani voyage at http://seabirds.adu.org.za/. Don’t be put off by the ‘African’ view of the home page map – the atlas is open to seabird records from any ocean in the world. You can download participation instructions, atlas data ‘cards’ and participate via the website. All data are freely available. Depending on availability of a suitable vessel, the BirdLife South Africa seabird and avitourism divisions will definitely be running similar trips in the future. Species seen 1 Swift Tern 2 Arctic Tern 3 Common Tern 4 Sandwich Tern 5 Hartlaub’s Gull 6 Cape/Kelp Gull 7 Sabine’s Gull 8 Subantarctica Skua 9 Long-tailed Jaeger 10 Cape Cormorant 11 African Penguin 12 Cape Gannet 13 Southern Royal Albatross 14 Northern Royal Albatross 15 Wandering Albatross 16 Shy-type (White-capped and Shy) Albatross 17 Black-browed Albatross 18 Atlantic Yellow-nosed Albatross 19 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 20 Southern Giant-Petrel 21 Northern Giant-Petrel 22 Antarctic Fulmar 23 Pintado Petrel 24 White-chinned Petrel 25 Spectacled Petrel 26 Soft-plumaged Petrel 27 Great-winged Petrel 28 Sooty Shearwater 29 Manx Shearwater 30 Great Shearwater 31 Wilson's Storm-Petrel 32 Black-bellied Storm-Petrel Thanks to the crew of the Maharani, and all the participants who made the festive and memorable trip possible. Cheers Ross -- Ross Wanless +27 73 675 3267 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Western Pacific Odyssey 2010 - lower prices! From: John Brodie-Good <john.brodiegood AT btinternet.com> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:01:35 +0100 Hi all, Just to let you know the ship's operator is allowing us to discount new bookings for next year's voyage by 15% or so, offering savings of up to GBP1200 / USD1900 per person. Full details here http://www.wildwings.co.uk/wpodyssey.html All the best John Brodie-Good --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Fiji Petrel paper; now available for download From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:14:02 +0100 The Fiji Petrel paper (see earlier postings) is now available on-line, and can be accessed and downloaded from the British Ornithologists' Club website and www.seabirding.co.uk The relevant pages are: www.boc-online.org/bulletin-downloads.htm or www.seabirding.co.uk/Notes-ArticlesContents.html Best regardsTony Pym _________________________________________________________________ Chat to your friends for free on selected mobiles http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/174426567/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Fiji Petrel paper; now available for download From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2009 14:14:02 +0100 The Fiji Petrel paper (see earlier postings) is now available on-line, and can be accessed and downloaded from the British Ornithologists' Club website and www.seabirding.co.uk The relevant pages are: www.boc-online.org/bulletin-downloads.htm or www.seabirding.co.uk/Notes-ArticlesContents.html Best regardsTony Pym _________________________________________________________________ Chat to your friends for free on selected mobiles http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/174426567/direct/01/ [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]Subject: Re: Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel From: Joseph Morlan <jmorlan AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 19:43:23 -0700 On Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:19:56 -0700 (PDT), JRZSubject: Re: Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel From: JRZ <ebirdcr AT gmail.com> Date: Tue, 13 Oct 2009 18:19:56 -0700 (PDT) Hi Michael, and evryone else, does anyone know if the photos have been posted yet? thanks, JZ On Oct 12, 10:16 am, ForceSubject: Vancouver Island Solander's Petrel From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:16:18 -0700 (PDT) Hi birders, Sharon Toochin's remarkable photos proves beyond a doubt the occurrence of Solander's Petrel in North American waters. The two primary id contenders, Murphy's Petrel and dark morph Kermadec Petrel, are easily eliminated based on what can be seen in the photos. The lack of white primary shafts on the upper surface eliminates Kermadec as does the shape of the underwing flash. Some dark morph Kermadecs lack these white primary shafts, and they are very dark overall with a muted, if at all, white flash on the undersurface of the primaries. The heavy bill, white under primary flash, rounded as opposed to pointed, the dark-tipped under greater primary coverts, heavy chunky body, thick heavy bill, and fairly long wedge-shaped tail also help to confirm the bird as Solander's. The dark hood is also visible in the photos. Murphy's can show a dark hood, but is transitory based on light conditions, and is rarely, if ever, visible on the upperparts, as it is on Solander's. The white feathering around the base of the bill also fits Solander's. This latter character is usually of little use under most field conditions; overall shape and size more so. These characters were also pointed out by Joe Morlan and Greg Gillson. I have some at-sea experience with the species in question having seen about 250 Murphy's Petrels, 430 Kermadecs, but only 19 Solander's. Many of the latter were in Alaskan waters, and one 190 nmi off Oregon, but unfortunately, none were photographed, although the Alaskan birds were well studied at close range by many experienced seabirders. happy seabirding Michael Force currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II 15 NM south of Cabo San Quintín --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Amazing seabird images up for grabs From: Ross Wanless <rosswanless AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 9 Oct 2009 09:49:32 +0200 Hi all As part of a seabird festival in Cape Town, the Save the Albatross Campaign and the Seabird Division at BirdLife South Africa are running a seabird photo competition. The 10 finalist images are up for grabs on a bidding website: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/1430767/BirdLife The winner of the competition will be the image that goes for the highest bid. There are some pretty spectacular shots there, so have a look and if anything grabs you, put in a bid! All the money raised will go to our seabird conservation work (the hosting website have waived their fees & commissions entirely). You can also view the 'top 40' from the competition here: http://web.me.com/duncanpritchard/Site/Photos.html#grid The festival includes a 2-day deep ocean pelagic trip (fully booked), several free events, and if anyone is in Cape Town this time next year, you should think about checking things out. Enjoy! Cheers Ross -- Ross Wanless +27 73 675 3267 --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:43:05 -0700 (PDT) Hi Birders, A correction to my geographically-challenged post last week. The Red- footed Booby jumped ship off Point Dume, not Dana Point. One thing is certain, it is a moot point. There have been no recent reports as far as I know. We did see an immature Brown Booby off Santa Catalina on Sunday, as well as a Red-billed Tropicbird off San Clemente. An immature Rose-breasted Grosbeak briefly visited the ship today, also off San Clemente. happy seabirding, Michael currently aboard NOAA ship McArthur II On Sep 21, 11:21 am, ForceSubject: 25nm off Ponce Inlet, Daytona Beach FL From: Robert Wallace <chnuts AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:43:22 -0700 (PDT) Greetings - yesterday I took Michael Brothers, Mitchell Harris and Bob Singleton in my 31' Contender in hopes of catching an early sailfish and maybe seeing a few birds. We left port at dawn with 15 kt SW winds, but ethanol fuel problems kept me close to the beach until I could finally burn it out of the injectors. Seas were a little bumpy on the ride out, but we started seeing a few Cory's Shearwaters beyond about 10nm off. At 20 nm off, because of recent strong easterly winds, we found a warm water eddy (87.5F) of clear blue water from the Gulf Stream in very close to shore, in only 100' of water (the west edge is usually 40 nm off in 200+ foot depths). We released about 50 baby Loggerhead Turtles (Mike is the Director of the Ponce Inlet Marine Institute, the largest turtle recovery center on the east coast) in some patches of sargasso, and then our turtle karma kicked in. We put out lines and almost immediately saw a flock of Sooty Terns, very far inshore, working over a school of bait. We trolled over to them and were joined by at least 20 Spotted Dolphins. Underneath the terns were at least 30 Cory's Shearwaters. For the next 3 hours, over a distance of 10+ miles as we trolled north along the eddy, we were constantly surrounded by Sooty Terns, Cory's and Greater Shearwaters, either sitting on the water or feeding over schools of bonito (Little Tunny) pushing up small Spanish sardines. The numbers of Cory's were remarkable, the most I have ever seen at once, and the scene was very much like fishing the tuna schools 100nm on the other side of the Gulf Stream. Mixed in the flocks of shearwaters were Pom and Parasitic Jaegers, 2 pairs of Boobies, and a few Red-necked Phalaropes sitting on patches of sargasso. Surprisingly we found no Audubons Shearwaters. We only caught 1 small barracuda and never saw a sail. We did not target the bonito (the ballyhoo were much larger bait than the sardines they were feeding on). I thought for sure there would be a few sails or mahi with all of the bait in the area - it was the most birdage I have almost ever seen on any trip. On the return trip we dodged several thunderstorms, the leading edge of the first cold front of the year to reach this far south. On the inside of the frontal boundary, only 10nm offshore, we found a feeding flock of terns that contained Sooty, Bridled, Sandwich, Common, Black, and several Roseate Terns, a very rare bird in this area. In fact it was a Volusia County Bird for Michael, who has seen more species in Volusia than any other person, and only a few people have seen as many in any county in FL as he has in Volusia! We ended up with 11 species of terns (including Skimmer), missing only Arctic and Least, which are already gone for the season. The following is a list of species seen: Cory's Shearwater - 1200+ Greater Shearwater - 100+ Brown Booby - 3 Masked Booby - 1 Red-necked Phalarope - 4 Parasitic Jaeger - 3 Pomarine Jaeger - 2 Sooty Tern - 300++ Bridled Tern - 10+ Brown Noddy Roseate Tern Common Tern Forsters Tern Black Tern Sandwich Tern Royal Tern Caspian Tern Black Skimmer Bob Wallace New Smyrna Beach FL --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica From: JRZ <ebirdcr AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:09:07 -0700 (PDT) Thanks to everyone for their comments. Interesting to hear that the Tahiti Petrel is a regular out there off the Cental American coast. Tony, thanks for filling us in on Hadoram's schedule. Sounds like he's got his work cut out for him. The interim handbook should keep us happy until the final masterpiece is ready. I'm sure it will be well worth the wait. I've loved the quality of everything he's done so far. JZ On Sep 25, 8:50 am, JRZSubject: Trip report: Gulf of Mexico (Alabama) Sept 20, 2009 pelagic From: swmavocet AT aol.com Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:34:08 -0400 After a weather-out on Sept 12, we were able to?try again on Sept 20.? We had a terrific time! ? We reached around 70 n.m. offshore into nice blue waters of 800 fathoms (4800 ft.) depth.? Seas were 1-2 ft. most of day with some 2-3 ft. and whitecaps thrown in along the southern part of the route. ? Species list: ? 6 Bridled Tern 9 Sooty Terns (mostly juv) 1 Band-rumped Storm-Petrel 6 Cory's Shearwaters 1 AUDUBON'S SHEARWATER (1st time since these trips started in 1996) 28+ Red-Red-necked Phalarope 1 Mag. Frigatebird several Barn Swallow 3 Great Egrets 7 Cattle Egrets 4 Little Blue Herons ? ? The non-birds were also well-represented by: ? 2 leatherback sea turtles 1 Bryde's Whale (yes, a whale!) 1 mola (sunfish) spotted and bottlenose dolphins yellowfin tuna many flying fish of evidently several species a couple waterspouts ? ? A couple sets of photos may be viewed at: ?http://www.flickr.com/photos/neonflamingos/sets/72157622428167386/show/ or http://www.pbase.com/swmavocet/sept_20_2009_pelagic ? ? ? All the best, ? Steve McConnell Hartselle, AL --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:12:29 -0700 (PDT) Nice photos! I've seen at least 21 Tahiti Petrels in Costa Rican waters over the years, and they're not that uncommon in waters far off the Central American coast, usually beyond 100 nmi. I agree with Howell and Webb's assessment of the status of Tahiti Petrel in the eastern tropical Pacific, and it does occur a lot farther east than some popular guides suggest. Phoenix and Tahiti Petrels appear quite different at sea, so the AOU's reluctance to include it is a bit odd. happy seabirding, Michael On Sep 25, 7:50 am, JRZSubject: Greater protection for UK seabirds From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 27 Sep 2009 11:02:32 +0100 Seabirds are now given greater legal protection in Scottish waters. Protection areas on land were extended out to sea to help birds such as the guillemot, puffin and gannet. Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "It is vitally important that they receive suitable protection throughout their lives at sea and on land. A seabird's marine habitat is as crucial to its ability to survive as nesting sites on dry land." There are 31 extensions that will reach between one and four kilometres out to sea, depending on the species. The extended areas are around St Kilda, the Forth islands, parts of Shetland, Orkney and areas around the Highland and Aberdeenshire coastlines. Andrew Thin, chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, said: "This is an important measure for the long-term conservation of seabird populations around our coasts. In recent years significant declines have been recorded in the breeding success and size of key Scottish colonies for many species." Stuart Housden, director of RSPB Scotland, said: "Seabirds on RSPB Scotland reserves have recently suffered a run of terrible breeding seasons and, although this year was better, it's vital that we do all we can to protect them and the food resources they need to prosper." The area extensions came into effect last Friday (following consultation last year) . _________________________________________________________________ Share your photos with Windows Live Photos – Free. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/134665338/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica From: Gail Mackiernan <katahdinss AT comcast.net> Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 17:43:36 -0400 Very interesting observations -- and as Tony said, also very good photos. We will be looking for some of these as we pass through CR waters next month on our San Diego-Valpo cruise. It will be interesting to compare birds in November vs. those in April and September. Also much awaiting the book(s!) by Hadoram... Gail Mackiernan on 09/26/2009 11:33 AM, Tony Pym at tony_pym AT hotmail.com wrote: Hi Jim Excellent records from the seas of Costa Rica! Tahiti Petrel ranges right across the Pacific, within the tropical belt, from off the Philippines to now Costa Rica. I like the photos of the Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel and the Christmas Shearwater also.Subject: Re: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:33:54 +0100 Hi Jim Excellent records from the seas of Costa Rica! Tahiti Petrel ranges right across the Pacific, within the tropical belt, from off the Philippines to now Costa Rica. I like the photos of the Wedge-rumped Storm Petrel and the Christmas Shearwater also. To answer your question, Hadoram is working on ‘Birds of the Western Palearctic: A Photographic Guide’ plus ‘Photographic Handbook of Birds of the World’. He has been asked to write a pocket-sized book (like his Whales, Dolphins and Seals) on seabirds…..and, then there’s ‘the Tubenoses project’ (this book’s title now to be ‘Albatrosses, petrels and shearwaters of the world: a handbook to their taxonomy, identification, ecology and conservation’). So, he has four books ‘underway’ (with various other authors) plus something like ten scientific papers at the moment – these papers include ‘Taxonomy, variation and conservation of the complex of gadfly petrels (Pterodroma feae, madeira, deserta) from the north- east Atlantic’ and ‘A new study of evolution and systematics of the genus Pseudobulweria’ and ‘Evolution, taxonomy and identification of the various populations of the P. brevipes- leucoptera complex’. (Vincent Bretagnolle is the main author, others involved also). He is well underway on another paper regarding the Pterodroma feae/madeira complex also. This one, an extensive and major identification article. He is currently in South America working on the Photographic Handbook. This time he’s away from home for six months, moving between Brazil, Guyana and (I think next is) Colombia. He returns to seabirds in a big way, end of the year, working with Vincent in the South Pacific. Many more seabird expeditions are in the planning stage, so the book does have a long way to go. I have seen some of the excellent artwork by John Cox, the photographs for the monograph are outstanding, and already the text content is superb; I would say ground-breaking on seabird knowledge. Now the bad news – to pull this amount of information together, plus the artwork/layout to be approved, is still some years away – at least three, maybe four, but this is the price we shall have to pay to await this masterpiece on the procellariids. Regards Tony > Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:50:09 -0700 > Subject: [Seabird-News:1107] Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica > From: ebirdcr AT gmail.com > To: seabird-news AT googlegroups.com > > > Hello everyone, > > a three day trip in Costa Rican Pacific waters (out to about 290 km > offshore, 86ş 47' W between 9ş 30' and 7ş 55' N ) produced five > definite sightings of Tahiti Petrel (Psuedobulweria rostrata) a few of > which we were able to photograph well. Visit the this link to see > photos from the trip: > > http://pajareroscostarica.blogspot.com/ > > This would be a new species for Costa Rica. Although it has been > reported by researchers working in the eastern Pacific and is included > by S.N.G.Howell and S.Webb in their Guide to the Birds of Mexico as > being a fairly common to common visitor to waters near Clipperton and > Revillagigedo Islands, the species is not included on the AOU's main > check-list to the birds of North America, apparently because > definitive evidence is lacking that would exclude the possibility of > Phoenix Petrel (Pterodroma alba). We plan to publish a note that will > hopefully permit the AOU to finally list this species (along the lines > of what recently happened with Swallow-tailed Gull.) > > Scroll down through the entries at the link mentioned above to also > see an April trip report and photos for another 3 day pelagic sail off > the Pacific coast of Costa Rica that produced Christmas Shearwater and > a few other interesting sightings. > > Congartulations to Tony and the others for their finding of the Fiji > Petrel. Tony, was this the last piece of the puzzle, so to speak, for > Hadoram to conclude his work on the Procellariidae guide for > A.C.Black? Is publication now immenent? > > bye for now, > > Jim Zook > > _________________________________________________________________ Get the best of MSN on your mobile http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/147991039/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Tahiti Petrel in Costa Rica From: JRZ <ebirdcr AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:50:09 -0700 (PDT) Hello everyone, a three day trip in Costa Rican Pacific waters (out to about 290 km offshore, 86ş 47' W between 9ş 30' and 7ş 55' N ) produced five definite sightings of Tahiti Petrel (Psuedobulweria rostrata) a few of which we were able to photograph well. Visit the this link to see photos from the trip: http://pajareroscostarica.blogspot.com/ This would be a new species for Costa Rica. Although it has been reported by researchers working in the eastern Pacific and is included by S.N.G.Howell and S.Webb in their Guide to the Birds of Mexico as being a fairly common to common visitor to waters near Clipperton and Revillagigedo Islands, the species is not included on the AOU's main check-list to the birds of North America, apparently because definitive evidence is lacking that would exclude the possibility of Phoenix Petrel (Pterodroma alba). We plan to publish a note that will hopefully permit the AOU to finally list this species (along the lines of what recently happened with Swallow-tailed Gull.) Scroll down through the entries at the link mentioned above to also see an April trip report and photos for another 3 day pelagic sail off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica that produced Christmas Shearwater and a few other interesting sightings. Congartulations to Tony and the others for their finding of the Fiji Petrel. Tony, was this the last piece of the puzzle, so to speak, for Hadoram to conclude his work on the Procellariidae guide for A.C.Black? Is publication now immenent? bye for now, Jim Zook --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Monterey Seabirds trip reports From: Roger Wolfe <rogwolfe AT cruzio.com> Date: Thu, 24 Sep 2009 14:54:54 -0700 Ahoy Seabirders, The Sept. 19 offshore trip report with photos by Don Roberson and Glen Tepke is up online at: http://www.montereyseabirds.com/SeabirdTripReport090919.htm Our trip on Sept. 20 was unforgettable thanks to the interaction we had with a group of five friendly Killer Whales/Orcas. In addition to Jeff Poklen's photos I shot some video that you will find in the report. My favorite part is at the end when one of the females approaches us closely and vocalizes out of her blowhole. Check it out at: http://www.montereyseabirds.com/SeabirdTripReport090920.htm Regards, Roger Wolfe for Monterey Seabirds Soquel Canyon, CA USA http://www.montereyseabirds.com --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight From: "Terry Hunefeld" <sdbirder AT fastmail.fm> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:33:44 -0700 Hey Mike Thanks for the booby report. Gosh, we may have missed it by only a day or two as we were on a pelagic out of Dana Point all day Saturday. On that trip the captain told me that the skipper of a marlin fishing boat saw a frigatebird 5 miles east of Avalon “a day or two after the hurricane blew through south of here about 2 weeks ago…” Moral of that story: “If you’re near the coast, keep looking up.” Best, W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands, Channel Islands to the Edge of the Continental Shelf Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SoCalBirding ----- Original message ----- From: "Force"Subject: Red-footed Booby, Southern California Bight From: Force <pagodroma AT yahoo.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:21:28 -0700 (PDT) Hi seabirders, For the benefit of southern California seabirders, we kindly delivered the Red-footed Booby to Santa Monica Bay. The bird spent the night on the forward mast after coming on board the previous evening (20 September) about 9.5 nautical miles ESE of Anacapa Island. We then steamed to our next morning's starting position, about 2 nautical miles southwest of Dana Point. The dark morph immature departed at sunrise; it could be anywhere by now, but LA birders (and elsewhere) should be on the lookout. No, it wasn't held against it's will, it was simply doing what boobies do: ride ships. happy seabirding, Michael Force currently aboard NOAA McArthur II 6 nmi east of Santa Barbara Island --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Dana Point California (Orange County) Pelagic Trip Report 9-19-09 From: thunefeld <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:21:09 -0700 (PDT) Greetings, 43 birders sailed on the Ocean's Institute "Sea Explorer" from Dana Point on Saturday 19 SEP 2009 and saw a Fin Whale and Black Storm- petrel near Lasuen Knoll, a Red Phalarope 6 miles off Newport Beach, 3 Parasitic Jaegers off Aliso Creek tormenting a tern and a bunch more cool stuff. Trip report, photos and video or the dolphin leaping from the water are posted here: http://www.socalbirding.com/tripreports/danapointsep192009.html Sea Explorer is a fast, comfortable boat with plenty of room up top, on the bow and on the stern. The crew is friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable about sea life offshore Dana Point. Our next trip aboard Sea Explorer, sponsored by Sea & Sage Audubon, is January 23, 2010. We hope you’ll join us as we go in search of winter seabirds! Join us on a day trip from San Diego to the birdy Nine Mile Bank and the Coronados Islands to see the breeding Brown Booby colony on October 3, 2009. Details here: http://www.socalbirding.com/release/sandiegooct32009.html W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands, Channel Islands to the Edge of the Continental Shelf Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SoCalBirding --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: More seabird records from Fiji From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:52:08 +0100 Hi Chris! Thanks for the further records. The list I posted was not meant to be complete, and was showing only those species that we had seen on the expeditions. The addition of Herald Petrel (from Neil) and Tropical Shearwater and Providence Petrel (from yourself) add to our conviction on the importance of this marine area. I heard that a birding group, about a month ago, had seen a Herald Petrel on a day pelagic off Taveuni. Tropical Shearwater (dichrous) is said to breed in Fiji, then there's gunax for you to consider also, from Vanuatu, which surely appears in the area (I wonder the taxonomic status of this form - the one specimen used by Austin et al for their 'Phylogeny of the small Puffinus' failed to yield DNA) - these small shearwaters really are a minefield! Last year Hadoram called a Providence Petrel from the deck, but nobody else saw the bird. There was some confusion at the time as a number of distant, larger petrels were over the chum. This bird did not go into our log (we had a protocol, with Fiji Petrel, that all four main observers had to have seen the bird and all were to be agreed on its identification). I agree with you that Murphy's and Providence can be a difficult call and Providence can be expected in Fijian waters. I realise I made one mistake regarding the range/ distance of breeding Murphy's. I wrote 2000 km to the east whereas the Austral Islands are actually more than 2000 miles from Fiji, so even further (that's unless there are breeding Murphy's closer, still undiscovered). I have Notornis 43, and was aware of the Murphy's skin in the Auckland Museum, the identification correct. It dates around 1900, is attributed to the Cook Islands, but I'm a little apprehensive of wording like 'the petrel was LIKELY to have been collected then from Raratonga or PERHAPS one of the other southern Cook Islands'. I assume the labelling is not precise. Dick Watling wrote to me last night confirming he has both Neil and your records, though is missing one paper. He will write to Neil direct for a reprint. Best regards Tony _________________________________________________________________ Use Hotmail to send and receive mail from your different email accounts. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/167688463/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Important Seabird Records from the Fiji Islands From: "Chris Gaskin" <chris.gaskin AT xtra.co.nz> Date: Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:33:21 +1200 Hi Tony, Birdlife Fiji were looking at producing an update on the Jenkins detailed report on Fiji seabirds; to help guide the excellent work Steve Cranwell and his team are doing in eradicating rats etc. on seabird islands in the group. Your list provides excellent data. I note you've left out Audubon's/Tropical shearwater and Providence petrel from your list. The following from a survey in Taveuni/northern Lau waters March 2009: Tropical shearwater P. bailloni dichrous (formerly Audubon's shearwater P. herminieri dichrous). Several seen between Yacata/Nukutolu and Taveuni. These matched Onley and Scofield's (2007) description of a P. b. dichrous specimen from Samoa, appeared to have much darker markings on the underwing than the Tongan bird in Jenkins (1973). The birds were seen foraging in the distinctive way of small shearwaters making them easy to pick up from a distance. Two of them flew close to the boat for good views. (I would suggest these are breeding in Fiji either on Taveuni or islands close by). See also Jenkins's notes in his Fiji paper. Providence petrel Pterodroma solandri. Seen between Yacata and Nukutolu Islands. I thought Murphy's petrel (P. ultima) when I first saw it; it was so grey, but have gone for solandri with worn plumage (Onley & Scofield 2007). This is the second confirmed record of Providence petrel for Fijian waters (D. Watling pers. comm.). (Given your sighting of Murphy's there might be a question mark over this ID, however I'm very familiar with MP from Pitcairn Islands and Morotiri (Australs) so comfortable with this bird being a PP). Also re. Murphy's petrel. According to Thibault/Bretagnolle's seabird atlas for French Polynesia and Pitcairn Islands (2007) the closest colonies for MPs would be the Australs. There is also the report on a specimen from Cook Islands - see Gill (1996) Notornis 43: 154-158. Gerald McCormack had a photo of what appeared to be a Murphy's petrel on his Cook Islands biodiversity website (no longer there). And, we saw a striking ashy-grey all-dark petrel just south of Raoul in May 2007 which contrasted with grey-faced petrels seen with it (ID couldn't be confirmed). Cheers Chris Chris Gaskin ----- Original Message ----- From: Tony Pym To: seabird-news AT googlegroups.com Sent: Saturday, September 19, 2009 12:19 AM Subject: [Seabird-News:1092] Important Seabird Records from the Fiji Islands The Fiji Petrel Expedition (see Seabird-News, 11 September 2009) recorded a number of other uncommon/rare seabird species in Fijiian waters, particularly during research between 12-22 May 2009. The observers aboard were Hadoram Shirihai, Tony Pym, Joerg Kretzschmar and Dick Watling. The significant records of tubenoses are listed below - these illustrate clearly why we consider this marine area a new and important 'hotspot' for seabirds: MURPHY'S PETREL: one photographed on 16 May. There are no known records from Fiji and the literature suggests this record is also the first for the Western Pacific. This is an extraordinary record of vagrancy for a species that breeds no closer than the western Tuamotu Archipelago (2000 km to the east of Fiji), with usual migration to the north and east of the breeding islands. KERMADEC PETREL: birds varied from very pale to all dark. We observed this species in 2005, 2008 and 2009 and believe it to be regular in Fiji waters, and that it may breed. PHOENIX PETREL: one on 21 May, is apparently the first confirmed record for Fiji waters. MOTTLED PETREL: this long-distance migrant moves from breeding grounds in New Zealand to the North Pacific, but has seldom been recorded in Fiji waters. It was seen (and photographed) almost daily during the expedition in 2009. WHITE-NECKED PETREL: one briefly inspected the chum on 18 July 2008. The bird might have been a Vanuatu Petrel P. occulta, although it was seen alongside several other species and considered too large. Both species can be expected in Fiji waters. BLACK-WINGED PETREL: two, one in heavy moult (14 May), the other fresh plumage (16 May). The species' status is uncertain in Fiji waters, where it is little known, despite breeding as close as New Caledonia, Tonga and the Kermadec Islands. GOULD'S PETREL: a few seen, almost daily during the expedition, amongst the many P. brevipes, with which it was considered conspecific in the past. All were P. l. caledonica. The paucity of records in Fiji waters may be attributable to a lack of knowledge in separating it from pale-phase P. brevipes. The possibility that P. leucoptera also breeds in Fiji cannot be excluded as apart from New Caledonia, Cabbage Tree Island (NSW, Australia), and possibly Vanuatu, the species has now been found breeding far to the east, in south-east (French) Polynesia (Bretagnolle et al. in prep.). COLLARED PETREL: numbers increased during the late afternoons, suggesting most were breeding birds returning to Gau. 10% were the dark-bellied morph. TAHITI PETREL: the most frequent petrel. Most are believed to breed in northern Fiji e.g. on Taveuni. PARKINSON'S (BLACK) PETREL: our observation on 17 May, of this New Zealand endemic breeder, is the first for Fiji waters. CHRISTMAS (KIRITIMATI) SHEARWATER: a bird seen en route to Gau, 12 May, is the second for Fiji waters. WEDGE-TAILED SHEARWATER: breeds on many islands in Fiji, but relatively few seen (c. 30), all were dark morph, and we are unaware of pale forms in the region. BULLER'S SHEARWATER: observed on two days during the 2009 expedition - only three previous records in Fiji waters. SOOTY SHEARWATER: few seen on most days during the expedition. Some showed quite dark underwings, had apparently short bills, and their feet projected beyond the tail in flight. We mistook some as Short-tailed Shearwaters, and these odd birds require future attention. Both shearwaters are regular in Fiji waters. FLESH-FOOTED SHEARWATER: surprisingly our 21 May sighting is only the second in Fiji waters; the first was a bird captured off Gau, also this year (February 2009). WILSON'S STORM PETREL: observed on four days, always at the chum. WHITE-FACED STORM PETREL: a single on 16 May had the pale, virtually whitish-grey, rump usually associated with P. (m.) albiclunis, which breeds on the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand and possibly Norfolk Island, Australia. WHITE-BELLIED STORM PETREL: we photographed the first for Fiji waters, in July 2008, off Taveuni Island. BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL: one on 16 May at the chum, the second confirmed record in Fiji waters. POLYNESIAN STORM PETREL: this attractive storm petrel was first recorded in Fiji from a bird taken on the nest in September 1876 on Kadavu Island. There were no further confirmed records until 19 July 2008 when we photographed a bird at chum, and then another was seen on 14 May 2009. MATSUDAIRA'S STORM PETREL: the first record for Fiji waters of this Japanese breeder (and Indo-Pacific migrant) was on 13 May. The closest region from where the species is regular is the Bismarck Archipelago, Papua New Guinea. Tony Pym ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ View your other email accounts from your Hotmail inbox. Add them now. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Fiji Petrel Press Release From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 14:01:35 +0100 The BirdLife press release, a week ago, was picked up by more than 1000 (!) media sources, including TV, radio, many national and regional newspapers, newswires, twitters and blogs. Included were the BBC, Sky News, AOL, USA Today and other nationals like the Daily Telegraph and The Australian. The plight of the Fiji Petrel was read, or heard, by tens of thousands of people throughout the world in one big effort. Also, two of the Fiji Petrel team were on TV and radio in the South Pacific and Australia, talking about current efforts to save the species. These forums helped promote the good work of BirdLife, NatureFiji and the BOC also. There are some good signs that more money will be donated and made available for further research to help this species; there may be only 50 birds surviving. Let's hope that all the publicity helps save this bird before it's too late.... Tony Pym _________________________________________________________________ Learn how to add other email accounts to Hotmail in 3 easy steps. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/167688463/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Records of seabirds - Fiji waters From: Tony Pym <tony_pym AT hotmail.com> Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 11:58:11 +0100 Dear Neil Thank you for adding detail to the seabird records for Fiji waters. The status summary for each species remains correct (as written in my earlier posting to this newsgroup and the BBOC paper). The wording was carefully chosen, after reference to Jenkins. Dick Watling, author of 'Birds of Fiji' and co-author of the Fiji Petrel paper, furnished the statistics for each species. I have forwarded your note so he can verify the records are those already held. Best regards Tony _________________________________________________________________ Save time by using Hotmail to access your other email accounts. http://clk.atdmt.com/UKM/go/167688463/direct/01/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: SEARCHER SoCal Pelagic Live-aboard 5-day Deep Water Trip Report 9-2009 From: thunefeld <thunefeld AT gmail.com> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 21:20:39 -0700 (PDT) Greetings, SEARCHER sailed September 7 to explore the waters of the Nine Mile Bank, wound through the Channel Islands, over the Rodriguez Dome and into the Southern California bight, past the San Juan Seamount, over the Bell Bank, Mushroom Bank and Sixty Mile Bank and returned to San Diego at sunrise on Friday September 11. It was a great trip, with perfect weather, great live-aboard quarters, a CRAVERI’S MURRELET, both races of Xantus’s Murrelet, a KILLER WHALE, an astounding 570 LEACH’S STORM-PETRELS of 3 races, Sabine's Gulls, 240 Buller's Shearwaters, two “SKUA-SLAM” days and tremendous “surround sound” whale shows. The trip report, species list, photos and video are posted at: http://www.socalbirding.com/tripreports/searchersep7112010.html The incredible YouTube Video only can be seen at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs_06nncr3U There are only 7 spaces left on our 48-hour live-aboard October 10-11 deep water trip on Grande as we go out to find tropicbirds and petrels: http://www.socalbirding.com/release/sandiegooct10112009.html W. Terry Hunefeld, Encinitas Life is short. Seabird often. In memory of Luke Cole “Come on out with us to see what’s out there.” Southern California Seabirding Trips Buena Vista Audubon Society http://www.SoCalBirding.com Los Coronados Islands, Channel Islands to the Edge of the Continental Shelf Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/SoCalBirding --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Re: Important Seabird Records from the Fiji Islands From: mariner <diomedea1 AT bigpond.com> Date: Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:38:57 -0700 (PDT) Tony, Congratulations to Hadoram, you and the others in the team for locating, photographing and describing the Fiji Petrel at sea - a well deserved reward for persistence and hardwork. The technique of a berley (chum) mega-blitz in a targeted area obviously works very well. A few comments on your impressive list of procellariiformes from someone who has also enjoyed the diversity of Fijian marine birds. For anyone interested in Fijian seabirds I would draw attention to the following publication:- Jenkins,J.A.F, 1986, The Seabirds of Fiji - An account based on the literature and recent observations. Australian Seabird Group Newsletter Special Issue No.25 p.1-70 This publication summarises seabird observations and status to 1984, gives a comprehensive review of the literature and provides a bibliography of 121 references. Capt.John Jenkins was a deck officer then master in vessels of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand who spent most of his career in vessels trading between NZ, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa. He was a keen seabird observer who kept meticulous notes which he summarised, interpreted and published mainly in Notornis. Phoenix Petrel. Jenkins(1986) list 3 tentative sightings he made in Fijian waters, February,May and November. Mottled Petrel. Jenkins(1986) lists 4 (Austral) autumn records, March to May and one record in October. White-necked Petrel. Jenkins(1986) list 11 records, one Feb, one March, one Dec and the remainder in May/June. I recorded one at 17.3S 176.6S in eastern Fijian waters on 4 Jun'08.(Cheshire 2008) Black-winged Petrel. Fijian record of one photographed on board at 17.7S 176.6W 4 June'08 published Cheshire(2008). Jenkins and Cheshire (1982) showed that BWP can be expected at least in southern Fiji waters from November to June. Gould's Petrel. Jenkins (1986) lists 11 records. Bullers Shearwater. Cheshire(2008) gives three records from eastern Fijian waters and one close to Suva during May 2008. Wedge-tailed Shearwater. Jenkins(1979) gives detailed account of at sea distribution and migration in Fijian and Tongan area. Short-tailed Shearwater is usually seen in Fijian waters during the southern migration Sept-Nov when they are travelling SW in the SW Pacific on a broad front.The main northward migration on a much narrower front is mostly from New Caledonia westwards. Wilson's Storm Petrel. Not mentioned by Jenkins(1986). Although included in checklists of Fiji birds and to be expected in the area, your records may well be the first documented for Fiji. Herald Petrel. I had a good view of a pale phase bird at in eastern Fijian waters at 17.5S 176.8W, 4 June'08. Cheshire(2008) Ref. Jenkins,J.A.F. 1979. Observations on the Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus in the South-west Pacific. Notornis 26:331-348. Jenkins,J.A.F., Cheshire N.G. 1982, The Black-winged Petrel Pterodroma nigripennis in the South-west Pacific and the Tasman Sea. Notornis 29:293-310. Jenkins,J.A.F 1986. As above Cheshire,N.G. 2008.Notes on Seabird Reports Received 2007/2008. Sea Swallow 57 : 6-15. Neil Cheshire Encounter Bay, South Australia. . --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Seabird News" group. To post to this group, send email to seabird-news AT googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to seabird-news+unsubscribe AT googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/seabird-news?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---Subject: Agadir, Morocco pelagic trip results for 17 Sept 09 From: George Armistead <armistead.george AT gmail.com> Date: Fri, 18 Sep 2009 17:48:21 -0400 All,
On 17 September I guided a short, nearshore pelagic trip from Agadir,
Morocco aboard the 'Federika'. We left the dock about 7:30am and returned
about 2pm. I tracked our route on a GPS for those interested, but basically
we headed WNW from the dock and got out about 10 miles offshore, reaching
~18 fathoms in depth. Thankfully one doesn't need to go far here to find
birds. We tried some drift chumming with limited success (attracting mostly
gulls and terns). There were some decent sized schools of sardines with some
Gannets, Cory's Shearwaters and a few Greater Shearwaters feeding over them.
I had hoped for a couple more Macaronesian species and maybe some
storm-petrels, but considering that the Federika doesn't break more than
about 6 knots and that we never reached really deep water I was actually
fairly pleased with what we saw. Weather was pleasant and very calm in the
morning, with a westerly wind of about 15mph whipping up around noon.
Species of interest were as follows:
Cory’s Shearwater 320
Manx Shearwater 38
Balearic Shearwater 1
Sooty Shearwater 2
Greater Shearwater 8
Northern Gannet 280
Sabine’s Gull 2
Audouin’s Gull 35
Lesser Black-backed Gull X
Yellow-legged Gull X
Great Skua 1
Pomarine Jaeger 10
Parasitic Jaeger 2
Common Dolphin ~6
Best Regards,
-George
--
George L. Armistead
Philadelphia, PA
armistead.george AT gmail.com
Field Guides Inc.
Birding Tours Worldwide
http://www.fieldguides.com/tours.html?area=guides&guide=ARMISTEAD_G
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