Western Pacific Oydssey 2019 - further update

[John Brodie-Good]

HI again Seabirders,

The latest from Chris and co aboard Heritage Expedition’s Spirit of Enderby.

‘Lava Petrel’ - a number of people have expressed the opinion that the photos and outline description posted March 25th seemed to suggest ‘Moulting Kermadec Petrels’. The onboard team on the ship will apparently be producing a post voyage write-up, to include better photos plus video footage suggesting why their original assertion still applies! Potentially exciting stuff indeed.

Plus, the ‘classic’ WPO favourites made their appearances again…..

Beck’s Petrel

At least eight seen north off Cape St George on 31 March.

Heinroth’s Shearwater

Seen on a daily basis between 29-31 March, ie Kolombangara to New Ireland with at least sixteen individuals recorded.  Nine birds were seen in the late afternoon/early evening flying strongly in the direction of Kolombangara supporting the theory that the birds m ust be breeding there somewhere. Six were then seen off NW Bougainville the following day with a lone individual off eastern New Ireland on 31 March.

(Chris Collins)

Kind regards 

john Brodie-Good

www.wildwings.co.uk