Woodchatshrike
Registered User
Was the wall Lizard on the boat?
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Seawatching 2008 (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter nialltkeogh
- Start date
Was the wall Lizard on the boat?
dan pointon
Can't Stop
In Spain, surely!
nialltkeogh
Well-known member
c.750 Cory's past Galley Head yesterday plus small numbers of other Shears... http://www.surfbirds.com/blog/colinb/7817
Also Fea's Petrel photographed off Slyne Head, Co. Galway on Monday 28th July. See post below from Aonhgus O'Donnell on the IBN :
''A charter boat fisherman - John Brittain - took some pictures of what he believed to be a Cory's Shearwater while fishing for shark off Slyne Head, Co. Galway on Monday last. My worst fears were realised when he sent me on his record shots! While not being great shots in themselves they easily allow the bird to be identified as a Fea's type petrel. Will try to make the shots available for public consumption as soon as possible. John isn't a birder but is keen and has a good eye for anything unusual that might come across his path. He said the bird made a few passes at speed but showed no interest in the chum they were using to attract the sharks. I have a pelagic planned with John in the same area for the 16th August - no places left unfortunately - so fingers crossed! ATB, Aonghus.''
See Ya,
Niall
Also Fea's Petrel photographed off Slyne Head, Co. Galway on Monday 28th July. See post below from Aonhgus O'Donnell on the IBN :
''A charter boat fisherman - John Brittain - took some pictures of what he believed to be a Cory's Shearwater while fishing for shark off Slyne Head, Co. Galway on Monday last. My worst fears were realised when he sent me on his record shots! While not being great shots in themselves they easily allow the bird to be identified as a Fea's type petrel. Will try to make the shots available for public consumption as soon as possible. John isn't a birder but is keen and has a good eye for anything unusual that might come across his path. He said the bird made a few passes at speed but showed no interest in the chum they were using to attract the sharks. I have a pelagic planned with John in the same area for the 16th August - no places left unfortunately - so fingers crossed! ATB, Aonghus.''
See Ya,
Niall
Hugh Harrop
Member
30 July - 2 August 2008 - Company of Whales and Organisation Cetacea aboard Pride of Bilbao
26 Fin Whales (including one breaching and eight lunge feeding), 27 unidentified large rorquals, 2 Cuvier's beaked Whales, 133 Common Dolphins (inc 5 calves) and 75 Striped Dolphins. Also 50 Ocean Sunfish (including one breaching). Seabirds included 54 Cory's Shearwaters, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 113 Gannets, 1 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Terns, 11 'commic' terns, 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shag and 1 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included 2 Griffon Vultures, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart and Sardinian and Grasshopper Warblers. 6 species of butterfly included Red Admiral and Common Blue. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was recorded at sea.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
Cheers from the high peaks of Norway.
HH
26 Fin Whales (including one breaching and eight lunge feeding), 27 unidentified large rorquals, 2 Cuvier's beaked Whales, 133 Common Dolphins (inc 5 calves) and 75 Striped Dolphins. Also 50 Ocean Sunfish (including one breaching). Seabirds included 54 Cory's Shearwaters, 3 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 113 Gannets, 1 Sandwich Terns, 1 Common Terns, 11 'commic' terns, 36 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shag and 1 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included 2 Griffon Vultures, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart and Sardinian and Grasshopper Warblers. 6 species of butterfly included Red Admiral and Common Blue. A Hummingbird Hawk Moth was recorded at sea.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
Cheers from the high peaks of Norway.
HH
nialltkeogh
Well-known member
Pic of the recent Galway Fea's...
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=Display&sighting_id=4089
Also, a Masked Booby in the Azores...
http://azores.seawatching.net/singel.php?filename=sul_dac2.jpg&id=247
See Ya,
Niall
http://www.irishbirding.com/birds/web?task=Display&sighting_id=4089
Also, a Masked Booby in the Azores...
http://azores.seawatching.net/singel.php?filename=sul_dac2.jpg&id=247
See Ya,
Niall
davidearlgray
davidearlgray
Hi all, spent all morning seawatching at Berry Head, Brixham today.
Sightings between 6.30am to 12.00pm included 1 Balearic Shearwater,1 Sooty Shearwater, 25+ Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Storm Petrels, 5 Common Scoters, 4 Sandwich Terns and at least 4 Harbour Porpoises off shore.
Cheers,
Dave.
Sightings between 6.30am to 12.00pm included 1 Balearic Shearwater,1 Sooty Shearwater, 25+ Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Storm Petrels, 5 Common Scoters, 4 Sandwich Terns and at least 4 Harbour Porpoises off shore.
Cheers,
Dave.
Hugh Harrop
Member
2 - 5 August 2008 - Company of Whales and Organisation Cetacea aboard Pride of Bilbao
36 Fin Whales (including 1 calf), 38 unidentified large rorquals, 1 Minke Whale, 11 Cuvier's beaked Whales, 1 unidentified beaked whale, 4 Pilot Whales, 20 probable Pilot Whales, 42 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 97 Common Dolphins (inc 3 calves), 334 Striped Dolphins, 7 Risso's Dolphins, 95 unidentified dolphins and 7 Harbour Porpoise. Also 51 Ocean Sunfish and 2 unidentified sharks. Seabirds included 78 Cory's Shearwaters, 1 Great Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 9 Manx Shearwater, 1 Mediterranean Shearwater, 1 Storm Petrel, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 227 Gannets, 10 'commic' terns, 43 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shag and 9 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included 3 Booted Eagle, 2 Black Kite, Kestrel, Peregrine, Merlin, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Red-backed Shrike Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian and Melodious Warblers. 12 species of butterfly includedClouded Yellow, Cleopatra and Long Tailed Blue. Jersey Tiger moths and European Wall Lizard were also recorded.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
Cheers from the high peaks of Norway.
HH
36 Fin Whales (including 1 calf), 38 unidentified large rorquals, 1 Minke Whale, 11 Cuvier's beaked Whales, 1 unidentified beaked whale, 4 Pilot Whales, 20 probable Pilot Whales, 42 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 97 Common Dolphins (inc 3 calves), 334 Striped Dolphins, 7 Risso's Dolphins, 95 unidentified dolphins and 7 Harbour Porpoise. Also 51 Ocean Sunfish and 2 unidentified sharks. Seabirds included 78 Cory's Shearwaters, 1 Great Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 9 Manx Shearwater, 1 Mediterranean Shearwater, 1 Storm Petrel, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 1 Arctic Skua, 227 Gannets, 10 'commic' terns, 43 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 1 Shag and 9 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included 3 Booted Eagle, 2 Black Kite, Kestrel, Peregrine, Merlin, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Red-backed Shrike Zitting Cisticola and Sardinian and Melodious Warblers. 12 species of butterfly includedClouded Yellow, Cleopatra and Long Tailed Blue. Jersey Tiger moths and European Wall Lizard were also recorded.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
Cheers from the high peaks of Norway.
HH
Marshall-78
Well-known member
Visited Berry Head on Tuesday 05 sat with a great tutor which was helpful
I arrived during the quiet period
1400-1800hrs
1 Great Skua
8 Manx Shearwater
86 Common Tern
2 Artic Tern
4 Balearic Shearwater
1 Storm Petrel
Over the whole day over 1,000 Common Terns came through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I arrived during the quiet period
1400-1800hrs
1 Great Skua
8 Manx Shearwater
86 Common Tern
2 Artic Tern
4 Balearic Shearwater
1 Storm Petrel
Over the whole day over 1,000 Common Terns came through.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gastronaut
_______________
shortly after the first cup of coffee
Marshall-78
Well-known member
A fantastic day Sea watching at Berry Head with some experienced seawatchers (passing on ID skills and knowledge! Thankyou), undoubted highlight was my first Great Shearwater following a trawler into the bay, really good close views for 15 minutes could make out all the detail. Lots of Common Tern, including some Sandwich and Artic. Balearic and Manx Shearwater. 5 Artic Skua inc 1 light phase, 2 Bonxies and a Pom Skua
Last edited:
Hugh Harrop
Member
5 - 8 August 2008 - Company of Whales and Organisation Cetacea aboard Pride of Bilbao
16 Fin Whales , 17 unidentified large rorquals, 1 Minke Whale, 2 Sperm Whales, 1 Cuvier's beaked Whale, 3 unidentified beaked whales, 5 probable Pilot Whales, 30 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 78 Common Dolphins and 135 Striped Dolphins. Also 3 Ocean Sunfish and 15 Tuna. Seabirds included 45 Cory's Shearwaters, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Mediterranean Shearwater, 26 Storm Petrel, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Common Terns, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Cormorant and 27 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Sardinian, Cetti's & Melodious Warblers, Zitting Cisticola, Red-backed Shrike and Serin. Nine species of butterfly included Clouded Yellow, Adonis Blue and Short-tailed Blue. Slow Worm and Stick Insect were also recorded.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
HH
16 Fin Whales , 17 unidentified large rorquals, 1 Minke Whale, 2 Sperm Whales, 1 Cuvier's beaked Whale, 3 unidentified beaked whales, 5 probable Pilot Whales, 30 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 78 Common Dolphins and 135 Striped Dolphins. Also 3 Ocean Sunfish and 15 Tuna. Seabirds included 45 Cory's Shearwaters, 2 Manx Shearwater, 1 Mediterranean Shearwater, 26 Storm Petrel, 2 Great Skuas, 1 Pomarine Skua, 2 Arctic Skua, 1 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Common Terns, 1 Arctic Tern, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Cormorant and 27 Fulmar. In Spain, highlights included Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Tree Pipit, White Wagtail, Black Redstart, Sardinian, Cetti's & Melodious Warblers, Zitting Cisticola, Red-backed Shrike and Serin. Nine species of butterfly included Clouded Yellow, Adonis Blue and Short-tailed Blue. Slow Worm and Stick Insect were also recorded.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
HH
Hugh Harrop
Member
8 - 11 August 2008 - Company of Whales and Organisation Cetacea aboard Pride of Bilbao
40 Fin Whales, 53 unidentified large rorquals, 3 probable Cuvier's beaked Whale, 3 unidentified beaked whales, 2 Pilot Whales, 112 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 43 Common Dolphins, 38 Striped Dolphins and 11 unidentified dolphins. Also 4 Ocean Sunfish, 1 Dogfish and several Tuna. Seabirds included 1 Great Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrels, 1 Great Skua, 6 Arctic Skuas, 2 Sandwich Terns, 10 Common Terns and 14 'commic' terns In Spain, highlights included Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, 5 Black Redstarts, 2 Sardinian Warblers, 3 Zitting Cisticolas, 2 Melodious Warblers and 3 Red-backed Shrikes. 15 species of butterfly included Wood White, Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra, Adonis Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Holly Blue and Marbled White. Other wildlife included Hummingbird Hawkmoth and 3 Wall Lizards.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
HH
40 Fin Whales, 53 unidentified large rorquals, 3 probable Cuvier's beaked Whale, 3 unidentified beaked whales, 2 Pilot Whales, 112 Bottle-nosed Dolphins, 43 Common Dolphins, 38 Striped Dolphins and 11 unidentified dolphins. Also 4 Ocean Sunfish, 1 Dogfish and several Tuna. Seabirds included 1 Great Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 6 Storm Petrels, 1 Great Skua, 6 Arctic Skuas, 2 Sandwich Terns, 10 Common Terns and 14 'commic' terns In Spain, highlights included Booted Eagle, Common Buzzard, 5 Black Redstarts, 2 Sardinian Warblers, 3 Zitting Cisticolas, 2 Melodious Warblers and 3 Red-backed Shrikes. 15 species of butterfly included Wood White, Clouded Yellow, Cleopatra, Adonis Blue, Long-tailed Blue, Holly Blue and Marbled White. Other wildlife included Hummingbird Hawkmoth and 3 Wall Lizards.
A sightings map of the cetaceans is on our latest news page at:
http://www.companyofwhales.co.uk/html/news/news_fr.htm
HH
So, seabirding the Bay sounds really awful at the moment!
Doesn't bode well for the Ultimate[ly slightly diasppointing] Pelagic which runs again this weekend... http://www.ultimatepelagics.com/cruiseprogramme.html
BT
Hugh Harrop
Member
There is no denying that it is very quiet out there at present (the same can be said of the Scillonian Pelgic) but it is still quite early for large numbers of shearwaters, particularly Greats. Hopefully the weather systems over the last couple of days will do the job! Even then, sometimes quality not quantity, is order of the day!
Cheers
HH
Hi Hugh,
There seems to be a noticable lack of Macaronesian Shears in the Bay this year; any ideas/theories why?
Cheers, BT
Hugh Harrop
Member
I wish I knew the answer! In the last 10 years we have seen "Littles" fairly frequently in July and early August. The Bay was blessed with some superb calm weather with very little southerly in the wind for most of July - that is possibly a contributing factor. I might add that Manx Shearwaters are often claimed as "Littles" by others (the height of the deck really throws people) but so far this season we (Company of whales) have seen just the one "Little". It will be interesting to see what Ultimate Pelagics come up with in the next week or so. We are out there now until mid September so still lots of time!
I am currently working on a paper discussing "Little" Shear distribution in the Bay, which will hopefully be in print fairly soon.
Cheers
Hugh
I am currently working on a paper discussing "Little" Shear distribution in the Bay, which will hopefully be in print fairly soon.
Cheers
Hugh
Thanks Hugh - look forward to reading the paper when it's published.
Hearing how the UP gets on will be interesting, though understanding what was really seen versus the numbers published is certainly a challange... I did the first UP, when we saw a "Little" really well from the bow on the second morning in the southern bay, and another was reliably seen from the stern, but I think the published total was 6!! I agree, they should be out there, but not in the numbers often claimed.... (the Wilson's P from the '06 UP was also very, very iffy, and yes I saw the bird in question, which was more than can be said for the fabricated Bulwer's).
My old man is on the ferry today, due back into Pompy this eve; I'll post here if the blow over the last few days has spiced things up at all.
Cheers, BT
davidearlgray
davidearlgray
Hearing how the UP gets on will be interesting, though understanding what was really seen versus the numbers published is certainly a challange... I did the first UP, when we saw a "Little" really well from the bow on the second morning in the southern bay, and another was reliably seen from the stern, but I think the published total was 6!! I agree, they should be out there, but not in the numbers often claimed.... (the Wilson's P from the '06 UP was also very, very iffy, and yes I saw the bird in question, which was more than can be said for the fabricated Bulwer's).
Cheers, BT[/QUOTE]
Hi Bob, would agree with Hugh on this, maybe the weather systems haven't been right so far this year?
I've been on the Biscay boat for 10 years now and I haven't seen a Little Shearwaters in the last two years. Hopefully we will get some next week when I'm on the boat with the Company of Whales, as usually there are not that difficult to ID if seen well.
Also I was on the UP and the only "proper" Little Shear was the one in front of the boat on the second day.
I think the fabricated Bulwer's was probably a distant Sooty, as both birds were seen at around the same time!
Cheers,
Dave.
Cheers, BT[/QUOTE]
Hi Bob, would agree with Hugh on this, maybe the weather systems haven't been right so far this year?
I've been on the Biscay boat for 10 years now and I haven't seen a Little Shearwaters in the last two years. Hopefully we will get some next week when I'm on the boat with the Company of Whales, as usually there are not that difficult to ID if seen well.
Also I was on the UP and the only "proper" Little Shear was the one in front of the boat on the second day.
I think the fabricated Bulwer's was probably a distant Sooty, as both birds were seen at around the same time!
Cheers,
Dave.
