Lavernock 10.47/48 Large shearwater travelling u/c. From notes done at time of viewing and directly after: Big shearwater, with high archs, going u/c - not fulmar or manx, looks different & bigger.
Upperparts; Overall pale brown with darker primaries, dark tail area and slightly paler looking head.
Underparts; Overall very pale, however did show darker primary tips, this was noticeable when passing Steep Holm, as the bird stood out in contrast with dark background.
Bird in view for about c50 sec's heading u/c lost from view past Steep Holm. The visibility was okay for most part [Welsh side] and I could see English coast well on occasions, although when squals came past it faded from view in the mist. At time of sighting the visibility was moderate.
From the notes and what I saw, I could rule out Sooty which would have been a very dark brown, and with apparent lack of a noticeable dark head area, probable rules out Great - which is mega rare in upper Bristol Channel. The bird in question was more than likely a Cory's - I shouted that to myself when I picked the bird up and got some features! However with the distant involved, visibility and lacking certain other features it's not going anywhere - still keep watching, you never know the old channel does throw up some goodies from time to time.
Also Manx (5) & Fulmar (1).
The day wasn't completely lost, I had a Lavernock tick - Treecreeper on the reserve in with mix flock, also Spotted Fly & Garden Wbr and 10 Chiffchaffs.
2 comments:
This sounds like a thinly veiled attempt to win String of the Year! Shame on you CR!
Randal, I know. I know. Treecreeper is such a mega rarity at Lavernock. But it was one honest. I desperately tried for a short-toed, but the length of the hind claw was too big and the subtle differences of the wing pattern all suggested C. familiaris!
I'll keep trying though, it's such a prestigious prize to win!!
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