Celebration
by Martin
Words are inadequate. Overused superlatives fall short. Perhaps it’s even on some ‘Bucket Lists’- birds to see before you die. The White-face Storm Petrel. I joined Dani and Juan; founders of the newly formed Lanzarote Pelagics, and perhaps his species above all others is rightly their icon. In celebration then, a few photos with some brief captions from our excursion on 30th June, this year.
Juan, MG and Dani. Pointing to THE iconic bird emblazoned on our T-shirts.
Usually first in to the ‘chum’ and never leaving
no shortage of birds to look at
Wing shapes:
traditionally illustrated as a peculiar paddle shape, in fact the wings were more often Wilson’s Petrel shaped, but could even be slim and rakish. The following 3 photos show some variation:
Feeding and Dancing
They look weird I mean really. Flying along low, approaching the water’s surface, the yellow webbed feet are spread wide and slightly submerged in the water then they bounce/ping/ leap/ jump. Whatever the word is, maybe ‘boing’ like Zebedee (don’t ask) off the surface propelling themselves high in the air and leaving an obvious splash behind. Amazing sight!
The White-faced Storm Petrels have to dodge surfacing Dolphins and Wales and swim around turtles too
White-faced Storm Petrel avoiding pod of Bottle -nosed Dolphins
Looking forward to the next time…
Awesome Martin. I know a couple of Wirral lads who’ll be tempted by the pelagic. We went a couple of years back lokking for W F S Petrel and took the ferry from Lanzarote to Gran Canaria and logged 22! No where near as good photo’s as those though. Any Tropic Birds?
hi Phil
5 Red-billed Tropicbirds reported by fishermen 2 weeks earlier- so next time for those maybe
Just sent an email to one of my Wirral seawatching compatriots – might have to get out there again next year. We hoped for R B Tropicbird and one had been seen in the harbour just prior to our visit.
Stunning photos there – I love the “boing” by Zebeddee one – and yes, I’m old enough to remember;-)
Thanks for understanding Anne!
Wow Martin, what a bird! Do you by chance know if there are opportunities for seabirdwatchting/pelagics at neibouring Fuerteventura (november-december)