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Hi folks, spent just over an hour at North Head
today and saw both Black Browed and Yellow-Nosed
Albatross close to the cliff. Also saw a few Huttons
Shearwater and a more "unsual" shearwater which I
thought was a good candidate for Manx Shearwater.
What drew my attention to this Shearwater
particularly was the stark black/white contrast between upper and lower parts -
no smudging around throat/ neck or around armpits - there was no visible
demarcation between underwing panel and underbody. Furthermore there was clear
demarcation between white underwing panel and dark edges to the underwings
(which were fairly thin - broader to the wing tips). The upper parts were very
dark brown almost black - underparts were pure white (not dirty) -
this was seen in good light.
Flight was big zig-zags on stiff wings, with
infrequent wing beats, which varied in hight above water - higher than typical
Huttons or Fluttering (in my experience) and not the typical "aukish"
jizz of a Little Shearwater.
I am familiar with Manx Shearwater "in the field"
having seen this species on many occasions in the UK, but I also appreciate that
views from a cliff-top on a windy day with no other observers aren't exactly
ideal but I did feel that this was worth a mention to you all as I'm pretty
certain it wasn't Huttons,Fluttering or Little (given flight jizz) - I'm
not sure how many Manx Shearwaters have been positively identified in recent
years or weather this time of year is more likely given previous records. I
would be interested in other views based on my description.
Thanks
Simon.
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