THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
BALEARIC SHEARWATER - Puffinus mauretanicus
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Apart from the less contrasted plumage, Balearic Shearwater is very similar to Manx and Yelkouan Shearwater found elsewhere in the Mediterranean. The two Mediterranean forms were previously regarded as races of Manx Shearwater but they were given full species status in the early 1990's under the collective 'Mediterranean Shearwater'. More recently, all three forms are regarded as separate species.
There has been one Balearic Shearwater reported from S. Gloucestershire, in;
1988: (1)
One was seen on the morning of the September 12th on the R. Severn off New Passage at around 09:00. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
Balearic Shearwater at New Passage. September 1988. © A. Merritt.