Re: Short-tailed shearwaters

["Ian Temby"<>]

I have only one observation of short-tailed shearwaters feeding, but it was
spectacular.  I was returning from a trip out to Mud Islands, several
kilometres off the coast in southern Port Phillip Bay, when I saw a flock
of some 70-80 s-ts flying several metres above the sea.  As if on a signal,
the whole flock tilted and flew into the water at a sharp angle,
disappearing under water.   Birds began to surface some 30-40 metres away
from where they had plunged in, after a time.  This event happened some
years ago, but I recall seeing the flock plunge into the water this way at
least twice.  I have always assumed since that this was normal feeding
behaviour.  All other s-ts I have observed have either been flying above
the water, or sitting on it, apparently loafing.

Hope this helps.

Cheers

Ian