LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific
names: Audubon's Shearwater Puffinus lherminieri
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): 3 |
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3. Locality: LOUISIANA: Plaquemines Parish |
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Specific Locality: Mississippi Canyon; about 60 miles south of Venice |
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4. Date(s) when observed: 07-24-2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 14:00-15:30 |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Nancy L Newfield, Casa Colibrí, Metairie, LA 70001 |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Jeff Harris, Dave Patton, Justin Bosler, Devin Bosler, and a host of other observers. |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): none |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Bright midday sun with no shade. |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 42 Swarovski Elites, excellent condition |
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11. Distance to bird(s): 30 [or so] meters to about 75 [or so meters], different individuals were at different distances from the boat. |
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12. Duration of observation: 2-4 minutes for each individual |
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13. Habitat: open deep waters in Gulf of Mexico, blue water. |
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14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): The first individual, was approximately 75 meters from the boat, flying away. I believe I was the only person to observe this bird. The second individual was resting on the water about 30 meters from the boat, until it flushed ahead of the vessel. That is the individual photographed by Dave Patton and by Jeff Harris. The third was also resting on the water, but maybe 45 meters distant, flushing more quickly then individual number 2. |
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15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): A relatively small tubenose, maybe 30-33 centimeters in total length, essentially dark [brownish black] above and white below, except for some dark undertail coverts. The tail seemed rather long. |
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16. Voice: no vocalization heard. |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): I do not know all of the species with which Audubon's Shearwater might be confused. The only other smallish shearwater on the Louisiana list is Manx, which has white undertail coverts. Of the 3 individuals I observed, I was able to see dark undertail coverts on the second and the third individuals.
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? Attached?): Both Dave Patton and Jeff Harris obtained good photographs of the second individual as it was resting on the water. |
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19. Previous experience with this species: I have seen 2 or 3 on other pelagic trips to the same area, never more than one per trip, though. |
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20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification): |
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a. at time of observation: |
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b. after observation: National Geographic Field Guide to the Birds of North America, The Sibley Guide to Birds, and Albatrosses, Petrels & Shearwaters by Derek Onley and Paul Scofield. |
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21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?) _____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _X_memory. |
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22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes |
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23. Signature of reporter: Nancy L Newfield
Date: 02-04-2012 Time: 05:28 |
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24. May the LBRC have
permission to display this report or |
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If yes, may we include your name with the report? Yes |
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This
report was written within 2 or 3 weeks after the observation, but somehow, it
was not submitted at that time.