NZ Storm Petrel, Southport seamount, Australia
Posted: Thu Mar 10, 2022 7:46 am
Rob Morris reports via Facebook:
"Southport - Seamount Trip 5-8th March 2022
This Storm-Petrel was seen between 2.22-2.27pm on the 6th.
It was seen distantly and intermittently and only a few photos were taken in big swell. There was also a New Caledonian Storm-Petrel (NCSP) in the slick at the same time which has added to the confusion on ID. The bird with the extensive white underwing was only noticed a bit later in the day when I was reviewing photos.
I immediately alerted others on board and the photos were reviewed briefly on the back of my camera. It was suggested the bird was a NCSP in moult. Having reviewed the photos the bird is clearly not in moult.
Heyn De Kock and I have pooled photos and compared them with literature (see comparison with plates from the ABG below with NCSP above, NZSP below) and other photos and it would appear to be a classic New Zealand Storm-Petrel."
"Southport - Seamount Trip 5-8th March 2022
This Storm-Petrel was seen between 2.22-2.27pm on the 6th.
It was seen distantly and intermittently and only a few photos were taken in big swell. There was also a New Caledonian Storm-Petrel (NCSP) in the slick at the same time which has added to the confusion on ID. The bird with the extensive white underwing was only noticed a bit later in the day when I was reviewing photos.
I immediately alerted others on board and the photos were reviewed briefly on the back of my camera. It was suggested the bird was a NCSP in moult. Having reviewed the photos the bird is clearly not in moult.
Heyn De Kock and I have pooled photos and compared them with literature (see comparison with plates from the ABG below with NCSP above, NZSP below) and other photos and it would appear to be a classic New Zealand Storm-Petrel."