LOUISIANA
REPORT FORM
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1. English and Scientific names: Audubon’s Shearwater |
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2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage
(e.g., 2 in alternate plumage): |
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3. Locality: |
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Specific Locality: 60 miles south of |
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4. Date(s) when observed:
July 24, 2011 |
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5. Time(s) of day when observed: 2:30 PM and 4:30 PM |
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6. Reporting observer and address: Jeffrey W. Harris, |
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7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified
the bird(s): Justin and Devin Bosler, and about 20 other folks |
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8. Other observers who independently identified the
bird(s): |
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9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade
and to direction and amount of light):
bright and sunny conditions |
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10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition): 10 x 50 binoculars, good condition |
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11. Distance to bird(s): birds within 30-40 yards of boat. |
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12. Duration of observation: several minutes for each bird |
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13. Habitat: open
blue ocean; some near Sargassum floats |
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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):
we saw both birds in flight and settled on the water |
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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 small shearwater with dark under tail
coverts; bill longer than a Storm-Petrel; compact body shape in flight. |
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16. Voice: none |
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17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by
your observation): Manx Shearwater was
eliminated based on the dark undertail coverts. |
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18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?):
I took videotape, and several others took photos (and they will likely
submit to the LBRC). |
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19. Previous experience with this species: none |
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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:
none |
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b. after observation: National Geographic, Sibley,
Peterson, Crossley (but I had also studied all of
these guides for weeks before the trip) |
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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: Jeffrey W. Harris
Date: July 25, 2011 Time:
3:00 PM |
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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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two
birds were seen by me; a 3rd bird was seen by others