upperwing

upperwing underwing European distribution Flying low over sea

Identification

Their stiff-winged flight with frequent gliding is a tell-tale sign that these are shearwaters, but uniquely they are completely dark, virtually black except for pale flashes in their underwings. They are bigger than Manx and Mediterranean Shearwaters, distinguished, particularly from the latter, by longer, more swept-back wings and a completely dark body.

Habitat

Oceanic.

Migration

Breeds during our winter in the Southern Hemisphere, spending its 'winter' (our summer) in the North Atlantic. Returns to its colonies during September-November.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

For the purposes of our bird news services, Sooty Shearwater is classed as Local: generally fairly regular or common species that a 'county lister' or a birding beginner might be interested in going to see. (Note that rarity levels are currently applied nationally and may not reflect local variations in abundance.)

at sea, Kerry 10/08/2010	Whitburn Coastal Pk, Durham 13/08/2010	at sea, Scilly 08/08/2010	at sea, Scilly 08/08/2010	Guernsey pelagic, Guernsey 08/08/2010
At sea, Northumbs 19/09/2009	At sea, Northumbs 19/09/2009	S.Shields, Durham 06/09/2009	S.Shields, Durham 06/09/2009	at sea, Scilly 08/08/2009

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