TBOSG     Fregetta Storm Petrel - Fregetta grallaria/tropica

Black-bellied Storm Petrel is one of just two 'fregetta' Storm Petrels that inhabit the southern oceans and is circumpolar in distribution. It is a large storm petrel with sooty brown upper parts appearing black at sea, and a prominent white ‘rump’ patch formed by the white flanks and upper tail coverts. The upper wing is sooty brown, with an inconspicuous grey brown crescent, formed by the somewhat lighter colouring of the greater secondary upper wing coverts. The belly is white with a black central line, usually extending from the black breast to the black under tail coverts. This black belly stripe, however, is individually variable in width, and can be occasionally absent. The under wing is white in the centre, with broad black margins and the tail is square.

Earliest:

Highest Count: One on one date.

On November 25th one was seen off the sea wall at Severn Beach. It was present for around ninety minutes before being lost to view in mid channel at around 09:40. This occurrence constitutes the first report of this species for S. Gloucestershire, Britain and Europe.

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