Date: 8/7/25 12:13 pm From: Brian Fitch via groups.io <fogeggs...> Subject: [SFBirds] B-v Shearwater
A three hour seawatch at the Sutro Baths this morning was rather quiet
until the surprise appearance of a single Black-vented Shearwater. At 8:30,
I spotted a small shearwater heading north low over the surface, with a
choppy flap-flap-glide flight style, a ways beyond Seal Rocks. It’s shape
was back heavy, with relatively short wings, and it was brown-gray
dorsally, blending muddily into apparent brown on the throat and vent,
though the bird was low enough to not have those tracts clearly visible.
The belly was pale, though not white. After possibly five seconds of scope
viewing, the bird disappeared into a trough and I was not able to relocate
it.
A little later, a feeding frenzy formed and slowly moved closer to my
viewpoint, and 1-2 Sooty Shearwaters made 1-2 passes along the fringe. The
larger size, gray color, longer wing length and superior aerodynamic
ability were all notably different from the earlier small shearwater.
B-v’s are being seen in the south state, but having one this far north at
this time of year is unusual. Another observer was nearby and may have
some distant video of this bird.
Other species of interest included a continuing Wandering Tattler, and two
Parasitic Jaegers.
Brian Fitch
