Possible Scopoli's Shearwater off Scilly (1 Viewer)

[Phil Andrews]

Attached is a link to Gary Thoburn's photo of a possible Scopoli's Shearwater seen from the Birder's Pelagic out of St Marys last Friday (8th August): http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/display.php?gallery=gallery9

What do people think - I can certainly see the features that created the interest (the white hand and much narrower dark edge to the wing compared to Cory's)

 

[Mark Newsome]

Attached is a link to Gary Thoburn's photo of a possible Scopoli's Shearwater seen from the Birder's Pelagic out of St Marys last Friday (8th August): http://www.surfbirds.com/gallery/display.php?gallery=gallery9

What do people think - I can certainly see the features that created the interest (the white hand and much narrower dark edge to the wing compared to Cory's)

My first thought was 'Wow!' - underside to primaries, structure of the bird and the bill size all looked very promising (although usual caution in looking at bill dimensions just from one angle). As I understand it, the problem is the extent of white tongue on the underside of P10. I'm not sure of Scopoli's variation here, but its not something I'd previously noticed on Cory's images.

Here's a link to initial finders account and discussion:
http://www.rarebirdalert.co.uk/v2/Content/The_Scoporys_Shearwater_off_Scilly_August_2014.aspx?s_id=132040880

Looking at the bird as a whole, I'd be very hopefully of this slight anomaly being shown to be within Scopoli's variation.

Mark

 

[Phil Andrews]

No other thoughts out there?

 

[lewis20126]

Well I don't think it is one. I don't see enough (any?) white intruding in to the hand and others have told me that the pattern of P10 is wrong for Scopoli's. The general consensus amongst the few people I talk to is that it's not the full ticket. Those are only opinions of course and you can tick what you want!

cheers, alan

 

[Mark Newsome]

Interesting photo on the Lanzarote pelagic website, from the trip over 16/17 Aug. http://lanzarotepelagics.blogspot.co.uk/
The bird at http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vYW22CDc4s/U_PCQEC9BeI/AAAAAAAAO_g/fQ61VXmIIVU/s1600/pardelaCenicientaMediterraneaDSC_3383.jpg shows a very similar pattern to the Scilly bird i.e. atypical underside of P10 (for Scopoli's).

Mark

 

[kitefarrago]

There's some discussion about this appearance here.

Andrea