July 21st 2007. Southern Nantucket Shoals, MA.
Cory's Shearwaters. Calonectris diomedea.
Individuals showing characteristics of 'Scopoli's' Shearwater, Calonectris diomedea diomedea.(2 -3).
Found whilst watching two smaller black and white shearwaters, presumably Manx. Mixed with a roosting flock of larger, blukier borealis Cory's, Greater and Manx Shearwaters. Smaller size, shorter and more slender bill was quite striking, hopefully shown in some of the images below. The white 'fingers' the underside of the primaries were difficult to see in flight and even more difficult to grab in images, but I believe I saw this feature on a least two birds.
Images taken using Canon Powershot A540 through Leica 8 x 42 binoculars.
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater (rear center) with resting flock of borealis Cory's, and Manx Shearwaters (left).
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater (rear, right of center) with borealis Cory's, and Manx Shearwaters (left).
Note much smaller size of 'Scolpoli's' with finer, dull bill (not yellow) and paler, lighter gray head.
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater (right most) with borealis Cory's, and Manx Shearwaters (left).
Smaller size (compare with the Manx in shot), slimmer proportions paler gray hind-neck.
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater (rear center) with borealis Cory's, and Manx Shearwaters (left).
Small size, slim proportions.
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater. Not the best shot, but seems to show white 'fingers' extending beyond
underwing coverts along the primaries. Borealis should show a clean division between white underwing coverts
and dark underside to primaries. Head and bill proportions looks slim and pale compared to 'borealis' Cory's.
Presumed 'Scopoli's Shearwater.
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