Wednesday 14 December 2011

Beachy Head 2011 Summary No.3

SHEARWATERS

MANX SHEARWATER

2011: Spring Sea-watches: Singles were recorded on 5 dates from 21/4 (1 E) to 29/5 (1E), with 3 E on the 4/5. Summer: 18/6 13 were recorded with 6 E & 7 W. with 12 recorded on the 19/6 with 7 E & 5 W. An evening sea-watch on the 8/7 logged 3 W. Autumn: 5 W on the 5/9. (Autumn records are fairly scarce although several have been recorded in September in past years). PerB.H.Log.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER

2011: 7/8 1 dark phase off Birling (RJF, DC & JFC). 13/8 1 intermediate phase off Birling (DC & JFC), 5/9 2 W (RHC), 6/9 1 W (RHC), & 17/9 1 pale phase W. (DC& JFC). Per B.H.Log.
(46 Balearic Shearwaters have been recorded since 1960 to 2011, although only 6 of these were seen between 1960 to 2000, with a daily max of 8 in 2009. This accords with recent information that Balearic Shearwaters are now having to forage for food further away from their breeding sites).
SOOTY SHEARWATER
2011: 17/9 1 W @ 11.42 (D.Cooper). Per B.H.Log.
(25 have now been recorded since 1960 with a daily max of 6 on the 6/11/05 & 2/9/09).