THE BIRDS OF SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE
THE BIRDS OF SOUTH
GLOUCESTERSHIRE
CORY’S SHEARWATER – Calonectris diomedea
As with all reports of rare and scarce birds they are subject to ratification by the respective rarities committees
Cory's Shearwater was named after the American ornithologist Charles B. Cory. It breeds on islands and cliffs in the Mediterranean with the odd outpost on the Atlantic coast of Iberia. It has brownish-grey upper parts, white under parts and yellowish bill. It lacks the brown belly patch, dark shoulder markings and black cap of Great Shearwater.
There have been two Cory's Shearwater reported from in S. Gloucestershire, they are;
2000: (1)
One was found on November 26th off Severn Beach at 09:05. Though it quickly departed it was tracked along the coast and was seen a further four times as it made it's way south. The birds' average speed was approximately 16 Kph clearly aiding those birders who were fortunate enough to see it. This occurrence constitutes the first record of this species for S. Gloucestershire.
2004: (1)
On January 13th S. Gloucestershire's second record was identified off Severn Beach at around 10:00. It was watched for nearly an hour by just five lucky observers and spent most of it's time being harassed by large gulls. It was last seen settled on the water just after 11:00.