'Lava Petrel' - A new species of tubenose?

[John Brodie-Good]

Hi Seabirders,

This came in from this year’s Western Pacific Odyssey, sailing through the waters of the Solomon Islands currently.

In addition to an extraordinary list of rare and almost mythical seabirds yesterday 4 birds were seen which could potentially be new……

These are Chris Collins notes from the ship.

'Sea temperatures this year (way higher than usual – looks like there is a major El Nino happening…….) we have seen all sorts of unexpected species…...

Up until yesterday, the major highlights had been Fiji Petrel.  I found this north of NZ and Lisle Gwynn who was on the bridge (whilst I was on the monkey deck) independently identified it and was with us on the trip when we saw it off Gau.  Sadly no photos but good looks as it was c150m off the bow.  Other goodies include Collared Petrel, Magnificent Petrel, Vanuatu Petrel and New Cal Stormy (plus NZSP), however, yesterday we finally refound a seabird which was also seen on the 2014 trip through Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu when we we re near Vanikoro in the Eastern Solomons.  

At the time, SNG Howell told Lisle that he didn't even know what family it was in and it really is a weird looking beast - basically what appears to be an all dark Pseudobulweria with white flashes in both the upper and under wing.  We actually saw four individuals during the course of the day (all looking identical so not a melanistic/leucistic individual) and we have pics - will send you some shortly. Martin Hale has some which are much better than mine.  I know it sounds crazy but we cannot think of anything in the literature which resembles it...…..

Here is a brief summary of some of the seabird highlights: 

New Zealand Storm-petrel

At least 30 in the Hauraki Gulf (16 March) with one the following day near Three Kings, off New Zealand.

 

New Caledonian Storm-petrel

Three birds seen off the coast of southern New Caledonia (22 March).  The highest count of any WPO voyage.

 

“Band-rumped Storm-petrel”

At least five birds seen from off southern New Caledonia to a day south of the Solomons.  These birds are so remote from any other populations of Band-rumps that I personally suspect they are an undescribed species within this complex.

 

Providence Petrel

Exceptional numbers (40+) with birds on three dates.

 

Vanuatu Petrel

Birds considered to be this species were seen and photographed on both 23 and 24 March (northern New Caledonia and seas towards Solomons).

 

Collared Petrel

Birds seen on five dates between 17 March (NZ waters so this was second NZ record) and 23 March (northern New Cal waters).

 

Magnificent Petrel

Birds which appeared to be this species/form were seen on four dates between 17 March and 22 March.  First record in NZ waters.

 

“Lava Petrel”

Four birds seen on 24 March at sea towards Santa Ana.  This is surely an undescribed species and appears to be a Pseudobulweria, eg with very heavy bill.  The plumage is, however, quite unlike anything as the bird is all dark with prominent wing flashes in the upper and underwing. "

Chris’s 3 photos can be seen here  (WildWings Facebook page)

https://www.facebook.com/wildwingstravel/?eid=ARBDIcfbBymj-s4hRzlnsQfwuFFqd766i6TSOMNn3fovI2f-OpYpGYVHxphHUn9mPned_I_p0-v2IVRD

 

Kind regards

John Brodie-Good

WildWings Travel UK

[Jez Bird]

Thanks John for passing on Chris's news. A fantastic list of records and very exciting about 'Lava Petrel'.

The Fiji Petrel record is similarly exciting. For those interested I'd like to draw attention to this recent review of records of all-dark Pseudobulweria petrels in Melanesia away from Fiji: 

https://bioone.org/journals/bulletin-of-the-british-ornithologists-club/volume-137/issue-4/bboc.v137i4.2017.a4/Observation-of-an-all-dark-Pseudobulweria-petrel-in-the-Bismarck/10.25226/bboc.v137i4.2017.a4.full 

All the best,

Jez

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