ML605676691

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Seen from 32.6345, -116.9200, and further east on Otay Lakes Road. Last seen at 645pm. Pending acceptance, a first for San Diego County! Initially spotted and called out by Stahl at ~415pm as a "white-rumped storm-petrel" and upgraded to Wedge-rumped by Lehman as it flew adjacent and parallel to a Least Storm-Petrel for at least ~30 seconds, providing a very good side-by-side comparison during a brief respite from the rain. The two species were very similar in size, and my (JTS) impression was that they were roughly equal in length, but the Wedge-rumped appeared to have slimmer-based and more pointed wings. The white on the rump was quite evident, and appeared to encompass much (75-80%) of the tail, effectively appearing to have a white tail with thin dark tips. The white on the rump wrapped around to the undertail coverts as well. Flight was direct and powerful, occasionally making short pull-ups before plunging to the surface to forage. We (Lehman, Abela, Stahl, and Thorpe) had started at the south end of the lake from various roadside vantage points on Wueste Road (e.g., 32.614, -116.934) from which Abela had spotted a Least Storm-Petrel at ~315pm. We tried briefly from the dock and then ultimately decided to drive around the north end to the east arm, parking at the yellow gate along Otay Lakes Road at 32.6345, -116.9200. From their were refound the Least that was joined by a second Least, and ultimately the Wedge-rumped. Ultimately the Wedge-rumped was rather cooperative, despite the wind and rain which returned as others arrived, and in general the white rump could be seen at quite a distance through the rain. Abela and Thorpe got photos initially when conditions were good, and I suspect others arriving later also got photos although conditions had deteriorated again quickly as Hurricane/Tropical Storm Hilary passed through San Diego. If I missed anyone for the shared list, drop me a line.

Technical information

Model

ILCE-7RM4A

Lens

FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS

ISO

800

Focal length

600 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

1500 pixels x 1001 pixels

Original file size

536.17 KB