LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Audubon's Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

One bird

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Plaquemines

Specific Locality: Deep waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Other observers had GPS devices and will have a more accurate location.

4. Date(s) when observed:

September 25, 2011

5. Time(s) of day when observed:

About 1 PM

6. Reporting observer and address:

John Sevenair, 325 Stafford Place, New Orleans LA 70124: jsevenair@aol.com

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s):

Justin Bosler, Devin Bosler, David Muth, Dan Purrington, Joelle Finley; about 20 birders all told.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s):

None that I know of

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light):

The bird was in open sunlight.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

Canon EOS 50D with 100-400mm zoom lens, used at 400mm

11. Distance to bird(s):

About 100 feet (minimum)

12. Duration of observation:

About 15-20 minutes

13. Habitat:

Deep blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation):

We saw a group of Magnificent Frigatebirds chasing a smaller bird and went to look. The smaller bird was the Audubon's Shearwater. The frigatebirds were faster, but the shearwater could dive and evade that way. Finally the shearwater flew away as the frigatebirds seemed to lose interest.

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):

See the pictures.

16. Voice:

Not heard

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation):

The tail looks relatively long and is dark underneath, eliminating Manx Shearwater. The underwing pattern suggests Audubon's over Manx as well. The lack of white around the eye shows this isn't a Little Shearwater.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):

Many of those present took pictures; I did too. Mine are attached.

19. Previous experience with this species:

I've seen several off Louisiana and some off North Carolina

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation:

Other birders called out the ID at the time

b. after observation:

I looked at the National Geographic guide to get the scientific name and to look at Manx and Little Shearwater pictures.

21. This description is written from: _____ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); _____memory. I noted the time but otherwise this is from memory and the photographs.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain:

Yes.

23. Date: September 26, 2011 Time: 3:50 PM