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Petrel, Morocco, feb 2011 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter MSA
- Start date
Simon Wates
Well-known member
Jan-Paul Charteris
Sussex birder and budding moth enthusiast
Madeiran? Decent looking bill too
Jan
Edit, mind you what was the size impression?! I'm going on the fact that it does actually look quite long winged and sturdy billed, but obviously if it's a very small stormy with an apparent upperwing bar and a wrap around rump, it'd be Wilson's in mind?
Jan
Edit, mind you what was the size impression?! I'm going on the fact that it does actually look quite long winged and sturdy billed, but obviously if it's a very small stormy with an apparent upperwing bar and a wrap around rump, it'd be Wilson's in mind?
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Jane Turner
Well-known member
My gut reaction is Madeiran too - be a bugger to prove though. How was it flying?
Lappkrabben
Well-known member
IMO the pale field on upperwing would´ve been paler/clearer on a Madeiran and tail would shown deeper cut (fork). IMO i´d say European based on what can be seen on the photo.
Jane Turner
Well-known member
I operate two petrel system, assuming its either Storm or Leach's. On the thumbnail there was something about the length of the rump/tail and wing shape that pushed me away from Storm...
Mark - what were the wind conditions and how was it flying?
Mark - what were the wind conditions and how was it flying?
MSA
I may be relaxed but I'm not drunk....
There were 4 birds off Dhakla peninsula, seemingly of two species, one of which I called as Madeiran at the time - fired off a few photos of general sea area, and the above is the only one that came out. Seemed larger than Storm Petrel, longer-winged, and flight action more direct, not fluttery.
Simon Wates
Well-known member
Mark, any petrel is a good record in Feb off Morocco! Leach's is by far the most likely but, at least in southern Portugal invariably associated with serious storms - either just before, during or just after. E. Storm hangs around a few days sometimes inshore and I have had a fair few in mid-winter (even though they are supposed to be miles away). Madeiran would be an exceptional record, but if you definitely eliminated Leach's - then it must be. As for the photo I still have problems eliminating E.Storm, however it does look rather good.
Hello MSA,
'Petrel, Morocco' is a pretty irresistible thread title!
You asked for opinions, so here is another one: I believe that even this poor record shot provides sufficient information to identify the petrel in question, with reasonable confidence, as a European Storm Petrel. The attached photo-montage, in which I have added a couple of images of similarly positioned European Storm Petrels for comparison, and attempted to clarify what can be seen in your photograph, illustrates my analysis.
As a matter of fact, even though there is a significant size difference between European Storm Petrel and Madeiran Storm Petrel, they are actually quite similar in shape and proportions. The crucial feature in your photograph is the light underwing bar, the position of which is precisely where it should be on a Storm Petrel and too far forward for it to be "the [trailing] edge of the wing". In addition, there seems to be slightly too 'long' a white rump for Madeiran, which typically shows a rather narrow band of white crossing the rump (though not all are so narrow).
As for Leach's and Wilson's Storm Petrel, I think possibility of either can be eliminated on wing shape and upperwing/underwing pattern.
Regards,
Killian Mullarney
'Petrel, Morocco' is a pretty irresistible thread title!
You asked for opinions, so here is another one: I believe that even this poor record shot provides sufficient information to identify the petrel in question, with reasonable confidence, as a European Storm Petrel. The attached photo-montage, in which I have added a couple of images of similarly positioned European Storm Petrels for comparison, and attempted to clarify what can be seen in your photograph, illustrates my analysis.
As a matter of fact, even though there is a significant size difference between European Storm Petrel and Madeiran Storm Petrel, they are actually quite similar in shape and proportions. The crucial feature in your photograph is the light underwing bar, the position of which is precisely where it should be on a Storm Petrel and too far forward for it to be "the [trailing] edge of the wing". In addition, there seems to be slightly too 'long' a white rump for Madeiran, which typically shows a rather narrow band of white crossing the rump (though not all are so narrow).
As for Leach's and Wilson's Storm Petrel, I think possibility of either can be eliminated on wing shape and upperwing/underwing pattern.
Regards,
Killian Mullarney
Attachments
MSA
I may be relaxed but I'm not drunk....
Thanks for the detailed reply Killian!
It would be interesting to see what other "crews" come up with on seawatches from this area; I can't really find anything comparable for time of year/location in other trip reports. I certainly had the impression there were two species involved, and wish that a few more photos had come out.
It would be interesting to see what other "crews" come up with on seawatches from this area; I can't really find anything comparable for time of year/location in other trip reports. I certainly had the impression there were two species involved, and wish that a few more photos had come out.
KenM
Well-known member
Looking at the underwing again with more scrutiny!...I can now see, that what I originally thought was highlight/reflection off the trailing edge...is in fact an underwing bar!
It would be impossible for it to be anything other than...otherwise it would be a new species 'Deformed-wing Petrel'.
cheers...to KM1
It would be impossible for it to be anything other than...otherwise it would be a new species 'Deformed-wing Petrel'.
cheers...to KM1