ML627304620

Observation details

All characteristics noted in relation to Sooty Shearwater by field guide illustrations, field guide descriptions, and experienced birders. "Cuter" look to bird in head shape similar to "cute" look in Iceland Gull relative to that of American Herring Gull head shape, a more "capped" look due to paler throat. Shorter, thicker bill. Underwing showed a neat, concentrated white patch on the secondary coverts, as well as uniformly darker underwing primaries and primary coverts contrasting with the brighter secondaries (Demond’s photo shows best). Guides referenced include 'Field Identification' section from "Birds of the World," "Sibley V2" app illustrations, and eBird Macaulay Library images. Flew low over water heading south parallel to the pier, ~70 feet out at closet distance us standing here:(41.968030, -87.631124). Bird flew towards us and then once it reached us, it abruptly turned and headed southeast into the lake. We staked out after the encounter until sunset with other birders in hopes of it returning to no avail. Short-tailed Shearwaters were virtually unknown in the Great Lakes until last year, when a bird was seen off of Derby Hill on the SE portion of Lake Ontario on Nov. 7th. This year, the phenomenon has continued, with two birds occurring this year prior to today. The first was seen on Nov. 14th off Ashland, WI on Lake Superior, followed by another bird seen on Lake Huron’s Georgian Bay, ON on Nov. 16th. A fairly recent phenomenon has emerged of SRSHs into the Great Lakes region in 2024, discussed in this video by Brandon Holden: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkvK_DoA2dU. The video shares that the shrinking of Arctic sea ice is increasing the amount of open water in winters, allowing for a Pacific Ocean dwelling seabird to utilize the newly opening Northwest Passage, enabling it to access Northern Canada -> Hudson Bay -> Great Lakes. Short-tailed encountered at 1:49pm for ~1 minute while Demond, Phil, and Tarik were walking to the tip of the Montrose beach fishhook pier. The birders had returned to Montrose in the afternoon due to a collective eBird "county yearly need alert" email for White-winged Crossbill reported in the morning. Despite knowing they were likely gone, the group decided to check for them anyway that early afternoon. Afterwards, we carried a few dozen loaves of bread down the pier to chum in hopes of attracting a Black-legged Kittiwake or Glaucous Gull for another year pickup. While 3/4 of the way to the end, Tarik spotted a low-flying dark seabird coming straight towards us. At first thought he assumed juvenile Parasitic Jaeger based on wing shape, coloration, and likelihood of species. After a few seconds and alerting Demond and Phil that a rare bird was barreling towards the group, the individuals readied their cameras and began firing off photos as it passed across and then out into the lake. Tarik exclaiming to his fellow birders to secure ID'able photos since his hands were shaking at the realization of the serious mega-rarity in front of them. As it turned and darted deep offshore, the group notified the Illinois Birding Discord and began celebrating. Demond's 279th Cook year bird, Phil's 281st, and Tarik's 294th. Notably, (if confirmed), Tarik's 294th Cook County year bird: breaking the county record!!!