As predicted, the seawatch today at Porthgwarra was truly superb. A strong south-westerly wind in front of an advancing Atlantic low depression is a locally known signal that some good seawatching could be on the agenda. Perhaps surprisingly then, only 14 birders showed up. Sadly no one had any cameras with them....I'm hopping mad with myself but considering the rain and normal distance of birds at Pg, no one thought a camera would be needed ! Until 8.30 am that is.
Fourteen of us saw the first or second year Black-browed Albatross today just before 8.30am. Brian Mellow first found the bird, with myself, Royston Wilkins, Linton Proctor, Mark Warren, Mark Wallace, Daniel Eva, Chris Craig and remaining visitor birders from up the line.
It appeared from the extreme left of the coastline as it lazily progressed round the coast, hugging the cliffs no more than a couple hundred yards off-shore. The views were exceptional and it even circled a couple times directly in front of us. The complete fly past lasted about three or four minutes. The slow, meandering flight was similar to a Cory's Shearwater and it seemed to be on view for ages.
The bird was aged as immature, first or at most second calendar year. The underwing was generally dark with a narrow pale underwing bar, barely noticeable unless you looked for it. The bill was a horn grey colour with a darker tip. I saw no hint of pink or yellow which would be associated with an older bird. The head was white, contrasting against a grey nape and collar extending down the side of the neck. The upper tail showed a dark lateral band. Undertail white. The upperwing was blackish brown, slightly browner on the mantle and back.
Previous records:
There are surprisingly just two accepted records of Black-browed Albatross from
mainland Cornwall:
1982: St Ives Island. 5th Oct.
1988: Porthgwarra. 30th Aug.
1999: At sea. Outside of the two mile maritime boundary, 10 miles offshore. This record is not included in the totals as it is outside of the Cornish mainland area two mile limit.
Nationally, there are 23 accepted records.
Albatross Sp.
1964: nr Marazion 23rd Aug
1981: Trevose Head 4th Dec
1985: 80 km south of Lizard 29th Apr (outside Cornish mainland area)
Of interest:
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS
1985: The record of the bird seen 80km south of The Lizard on 29 Apr was considered to be an albatross, but the species identification was not established beyond doubt - and it was outside the 'mainland' area anyway!
Thanks to Derek Julian (CBWPS) for the data info.
Additional sightings during the morning included:
1 Great Shearwater
16 Balearic Shearwater
4 Sooty Shearwater
2 Puffin
4 Great Skua
2 Pomarine Skua
3 Arctic Skua
4 Storm Petrel
1 Whimbrel
2 "Comic" Tern
The camera settings need to be very precise when photographing from a boat. The biggest problem is the changing light situations as the birds generally fly round the boat, into the sun then out of the sun. The next problem is Exposure as the birds fly above the sea or on the sea. The Fulmar image below required Exposure set to +0.3 though the Fulmars sitting on the sea required the Exposure setting to be dropped to -0.7.
The three Storm Petrel images below show different birds in varying stages of moult. Some can show quite pale areas on the upper wing whilst others show a narrow pale bar. The light also makes a difference to colour perception.
The two images below are Balearic Shearwaters. We found two of these birds and were quite content to stay near the boat. The Balearic is by far the rarest of the seabirds in this region.
This French trawler was dragging its nets and attracted quite a number of seabirds including Gannets, Fulmars, Stormies, Manx, Balearic and Sooty Shearwaters.
Sunfish below.
Wilson's Petrel: The image above and below was taken by Thor Veen on this Pelagic.
The image below is the only publishable shot of the Wilson's Petrel I could manage. The long wings and pale carpal bar as well as a barely noticeable leg projection can just be seen.
