ML645947904

Observation details

Bob and I first observed this bird as it flew around distantly off the starboard bow with three Cahow around 1545. We were immediately impressed by the large and obvious white rump patch, much bigger than the small u-shaped patch of Bermuda, and extensive white hind neck collar, lacking cowled appearance of Cahow. Bob immediately recognized the significance of these field marks and made a tentative id of Black-capped Petrel. As we got closer, the bird moved from side to side off the bow, moving to the port side and better light, where we are able to confirm our initial impressions and also note the larger size, more prominent head and neck, heavier bill, longer wings and overall more rakish appearance, and more erratic flapping flight rel to Bermuda. Always distant, but documentary photos obtained by several onboard, which also show dark smudging around eye contiguous with black cap, indicating a dark-faced type bird. Eventually lost in sun glare. Observed briefly again by Bob on the return drive past Cooper’s Point, almost an hr later. We speculated whether it will come in to the Cahow burrows overnight. Will add photos when I return home and can download and process original NEF files. Will add some quick jpeg crops for now.