Sure we can make mistakes on confusing difficult species but I am amused by
this one, not at the making a mistake. I can understand someone saying I
don't know what it is but why come up with an idea of Great Shearwater? I
don't find it in my Aussie field guides, so why would that be in the mix of
ideas? Indeed Peter Harrison's Seabirds book shows Great Shearwater on the
opposite side of the world. Looking at the pictures of Great Shearwater in
that book does not raise images to me of similarity to a gannet. Gannet do
occur in UK. I think Michael Palin said he didn't like a British bird book
because it had the Gannet in it.
Lastly, now I am curious. Do any shearwaters feed by diving behaviour as
described? I have not seen it.
Philip
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Tim Dolby
Sent: Monday, 19 March 2012 12:12 PM
To: Mike Carter; ;
Cc:
Subject: Birdline Western Australia Weekly Update GREAT
SHEARWATER CLEARLY NOT
Yes, like our immature Rufous Whistler, I think we can agree that our
potential 'Great Shearwater' is almost certainly an immature Australasian
Gannet - and the report removed.
Cheers,
Tim Dolby
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Mike Carter
Sent: Monday, 19 March 2012 11:29 AM
To: ;
Subject: Birdline Western Australia Weekly Update GREAT
SHEARWATER CLEARLY NOT
The Birdline WA Ed invited comments on this 'Great Shearwater' claim for a
bird whose description fits Gannet, is the size of a Gannet and behaves like
a Gannet. How about unbelievable!
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
Hi Nikolas, Sonja & all, I'm with you guys for sure, a young gannet for
mine. Certainly not a Great Shearwater. Cheers, Martin Cachard,
Cairns, 0428 782 808
> From:
> Date: Sun, 18 Mar 2012 12:50:16 +1100
> To: ;
> Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] Comment on Eremaea Great Shearwater at Marmion
Marine Park, Perth, WA
>
> Hi Nicholas,
>
> Having seen one earlier this year, the size alone would make me
> doubtful.
>
> Sonja
>
> On 18/03/2012, at 12:46 PM, Nikolas Haass wrote:
>
> > Hi Birding-Aus,
> >
> > There is a report of a Great Shearwater on Eremaea's Birdline
> > Australia and Birdline WA. I believe that the description rules out
> > a Great Shearwater. The description of the plumage makes me rather
> > think of Streaked Shearwater than Great Shearwater. However, taken
> > described plumage, size and feeding behaviour together, I believe
> > that this bird was an immature Gannet.
> >
> > Any comments?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > Nikolas
> >
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