ML31122851

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Media notes

Sketch made prior to consulting reference material.

Observation details

BLS notes: Viewed through Swarovski scope at 30X for approx. 45 secs; photos not attempted. First picked up moving SSW toward us out of the center of the Bay at a great distance, getting close enough to see details of the underwing, but not the face/bill. Immediately different, based on highly dynamic flight style compared with nearby Sooty Shearwaters. Slightly smaller, slimmer, and more angular than Sooty Shearwater, with crooked wings and sweptback 'hands'. Flight showed higher, steeper arcs, with wings tipping beyond vertical at the apex of each arc. Nearby Sooty Shearwaters were arcing lower and flattening out at the apex, usually flapping on the downward side. This bird did not flap during the entire observation. As it turned more SW to round the point, the underside became visible. All-dark below, including underwing coverts, with pale, jaeger-like flashes at the primary bases. Upperparts appeared all-dark brownish at this distance. The bird was obviously molting inner primaries, and there were visible gaps in the wings there. I could not make out any pale around the base of the bill, though I tried to see that field mark. I made these notes and the attached sketch before consulting any reference material. Recent experience with this species (May 2016) helped solidify the identification under less than ideal viewing conditions. I considered other all-dark Pterodromas, but I believe size and structure in direct comparison rule out other rarer possibilities. ***Paul Fenwick notes: Our sea watch was set up in the traditional location just east of Point Pinos proper looking north. The bird was initially found by BLS mid-bay heading in a southward direction. BLS was able to get me on the bird which then changed course to a south-southwest direction. Total viewing time was approximately 45 seconds to one minute in duration. The bird was lost just north of the red buoy and we were both unable to re-find it. The bird presented overall dark top and bottom. It was in obvious inner primary molt on both wings which revealed the pale bases on the outer primaries. The wrists of the bird appeared to be held forward and in line with the head. The outer wing was swept sharply backwards. No additional ID features could be seen on the bird. The bird flew on the outer edge of the Sooty Shearwater flight line. This flight path allowed for direct comparison in size and flight style to the Sooty Shearwaters. My overall size impression of the bird was that it was slightly smaller than a Sooty Shearwater. The significant difference of the Murphy's Petrel was its flight pattern. The arc pattern was significantly tighter than that of a Sooty Shearwater and completed in a rhythmic pattern. The terminal peak of the arc was approximately one half higher that that of the Sooty Shearwaters. The ascent and descent pattern of the Murphys Petrel arc was similar. The Sooty Shearwaters arc was much more elongated with the bird rotating and flattening out at the top of the arc then gliding back to the water's surface.

Technical information

Model

iPhone 6

Lens

iPhone 6 back camera 4.15mm f/2.2

ISO

32

Focal length

4.2 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/2.2

Shutter speed

1/120 sec

Dimensions

2990 pixels x 2290 pixels

Original file size

2.74 MB