Pelagic birds from land

["Glenn Holmes" <>]

Results from Maroubra over summer were interpreted to show that many pelagic birds may be observed from land.

I think that all pelagic species come close to land when strong winds blow onshore, especially if the adverse weather is sustained over several days.  

At East Ballina beacon, John Izzard and I often watched together or singly, especially during the 1980s, when the weather appeared favourable.  Species that I saw with the aid of a 22x telescope included....

..... White-necked, Tahiti, Mottled, Cook's, Black-winged, Providence & Great-winged Petrels

..... White-faced Storm-Petrel

..... Streaked & Buller's Shearwaters**

..... White-tailed & Red-tailed Tropicbirds, Great Frigatebird, Masked Booby, Long-tailed Jaeger

..... Grey Ternlet, White Tern

**These shearwaters can even be seen each summer from my parent's beach-house loungeroom at Forster, north of Newcastle.

In Tasmania I once saw Gould's Petrel at Bruny Island, so I've seen eight Pterodroma from land in Oz.  This group is the archetype of pelagic petrels, so it shows quite graphically that landlubbers can get electrifying observations without the risk of seasickness.

Glenn

 

Glenn Holmes & Associates

*birding & botanical specialists*
PO Box 1246 Atherton  Qld 4883