Wedge-tailed shearwater (1 Viewer)

Julian Bell · Dec 16, 2005

Had at least 50 wedge-tailed today, feeding over a sea that was boiling with fish. Excellent. Even managed some pictures this time.

More frustratingly there were two other species of tubenose - one a shearwater the same size as the dark phase wedge-tails but with clean white underparts (brown upperparts) and a much smaller paler grey thing that disppeared into a wave trough never to be seen again.

Also Dorado and a few shark.....

Jane Turner · Dec 16, 2005

Where were you?

Woodchatshrike · Dec 16, 2005

I'm off seawatching if it is SW Norway.

Andrew Whitehouse · Dec 16, 2005

Julian Bell said:
More frustratingly there were two other species of tubenose - one a shearwater the same size as the dark phase wedge-tails but with clean white underparts (brown upperparts) and a much smaller paler grey thing that disppeared into a wave trough never to be seen again..

The larger of these two birds could have been a pale-phase Wedge-tailed, which do crop up but aren't always illustrated in field guides. I remember getting thrown by these in Mauritius until I looked in Harrison's Seabirds.

Julian Bell · Dec 17, 2005

Jane Turner said:
Where were you?

The Pluto field off NW Australia.

Julian Bell · Dec 17, 2005

Andrew Whitehouse said:
The larger of these two birds could have been a pale-phase Wedge-tailed, which do crop up but aren't always illustrated in field guides. I remember getting thrown by these in Mauritius until I looked in Harrison's Seabirds.

Quite possible. Only got distant views but seemed very clean cut and also seemed to have a white face / head. I'll check it out when I get back home - not that I have any real hope of identifying it for sure.

Edward woodwood · Dec 17, 2005

Streaked?

haven't checked but i think i've seen them not a million miles from there

Julian Bell · Dec 18, 2005

Tim Allwood said:
Streaked?

haven't checked but i think i've seen them not a million miles from there

Streaked is the prime suspect.
Currently sat in Dubai airport (8 hours wait....)

Wedge-tailed shearwater (1 Viewer)

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Julian Bell

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Jane Turner

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Woodchatshrike

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Andrew Whitehouse

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Julian Bell

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Edward woodwood

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Julian Bell

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