ML109880401

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

The Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel was discovered in photos of the large Black and Ashy Storm-Petrel flock at 12:39. Some may have seen the bird as it lifted up from the far-left side of the flock and several photographers discovered the bird in their images; most notably Aaron Maizlish and Larry Sansone. This bird was noticeable smaller than the other storm-petrels. The bird was black and appeared to be in heavy wing molt. A large triangular white rump patch extending almost to the end of the tail was evident, unlike the rump of a Townsend's. The bird also had a short thick bill, steep forehead, and no pronounced carpal bars. The deep wingbeats in the photos are also consistent with Wedge-rumped. Upon reviewing the photos, Steve Howell noted that the molting wings are consistent with Wedge-rumped at this season; this molt is not typical of Townsend’s at this season. The consensus among several of the leaders and other seabird experts that were consulted in the following days was that this individual was indeed a Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel. This bird was in view for only a few seconds and was gone quickly as the flock dispersed. This bird was seen 19 nautical miles NNW from San Nicolas island (GPS coordinates: 33,35,7.2240, 119,38,39.92399).

Technical information

Model

NIKON D80

ISO

1000

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/5.6

Shutter speed

1/4000 sec

Dimensions

1468 pixels x 1104 pixels

Original file size

163.89 KB