Hello all,
Details below of last Saturday's Magenta Petrel on SOSSA's Kiama
pelagic trip.
About 1pm we were running back in to the shelf from deeper water when I
noticed the undulating flight of a pterodroma approaching the boat from behind
and about 60-80m to the side. Nearing the boat it showed its underside
revealing a "Tahiti" like fully dark head and pure white from the chest to a
completely white undertail.
I yelled out, "What's this petrel." Lindsay Smith was standing near me and also
has good views once he got onto it. I then yelled, "This looks like a Magenta."
It then ran low across the water and into the glare of the sun. At this time
others on board picked up the dark gray colouring on the head and some
upperparts, which is vital in separating this species from Pheonix Petrel.
It then continued its undulating flight across the front of the boat and was
lost sight of.
Lindsay Smith said at the time,"I'm thinking it was what Richard said, Magenta."
Unfortunately, as we were running back in, with the spray blinds down on the
same side, many people were sitting in the dry section of the boat and inside.
Only about six of us saw it.
No photos were taken.
It was a very distinctive bird and a BARC submission will be submitted.
Cheers
Richard
Sent from my iPhone
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