LOUISIANA BIRD RECORDS COMMITTEE

REPORT FORM

1. English and Scientific names: Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

2. Number of individuals, sexes, ages, general plumage (e.g., 2 in alternate plumage):

4 adults in varying stages of remige molt

3. Locality: LOUISIANA: (parish) Plaquemines

Specific Locality: blue water over Mississippi Canyon in Gulf of Mexico, and more precisely at the following coordinates:

#1 - 28° 10' 48.5” N, 89° 38' 34.7” W

#2 and 3 - 28° 13' 24.7" N, 89° 40' 4.1" W

#4 - 28° 19' 6.3” N, 89° 39' 2.7” W

4. Date(s) when observed: 24 July 2011.

5. Time(s) of day when observed: 12:30 – 3:00 PM CDT

6. Reporting observer and address:

Justin Bosler

1300 Laban Ave.

Apt. 165

Houma, LA 70363

7. Other observers accompanying reporter who also identified the bird(s): Devin Bosler, Nick Lund, Jake Walker, Dave Patton, Nancy Newfield and Jeff Harris.

8. Other observers who independently identified the bird(s): None

9. Light conditions (position of bird in relation to shade and to direction and amount of light): Ideal at-sea conditions with direct light on all subjects.

10. Optical equipment (type, power, condition):

11. Distance to bird(s): ranging from as close as 50 meters to as far as 200+ meters.

12. Duration of observation: Two of the shearwaters were observed for upwards of 5 minutes a piece while resting on the water or foraging in sargassum at close range.

13. Habitat: open, deep water of Gulf of Mexico.

14. Behavior of bird / circumstances of observation (flying, feeding, resting; include and stress habits used in identification; relate events surrounding observation): Observed behaviors ranged from resting on water to foraging in patches of Sargassum to flying in typical shearwater fashion (rapid flapping followed by short glides) low over water’s surface.

15. Description (include only what was actually seen, not what "should" have been seen; include if possible: total length/relative size compared to other familiar species, body bulk, shape, proportions, bill, eye, leg, and plumage characteristics. Stress features that separate it from similar species): A small black-and-white shearwater with blackish upperparts and white underparts. Small, rounded head with extensive white in face, including thin, white “eyebrow”, and relatively thin bill. Tail proportinately long, noticeably so in flight, and undertail coverts were solidly black. Legs and feet appeared blackish.

16. Voice: silent.

17. Similar species (include how they were eliminated by your observation): Only other black-and-white shearwater species occurring in the GOM is Manx. Manx Shearwater eliminated by small, dove-like head, extensive white on face (including white “eyebrow”), blackish upperparts, relatively long tail and black undertail coverts.

18. Photographs or tape recordings obtained? (by whom? attached?): Photographs obtained by Justin Bosler and attached.

19. Previous experience with this species: Limited experience in Gulf Stream of w. Atlantic Ocean off NC in addition to a number of observations off MD (7), MA (17+) and RI (13).

20. Identification aids: (list books, illustrations, other birders, etc. used in identification):

a. at time of observation: None

b. after observation: None

21. This description is written from: __X___ notes made during the observation (_____notes attached?);_____notes made after the observation (date:_____); __X___memory.

22. Are you positive of your identification if not, explain: Yes, 100% positive.

23. Signature of reporter: Justin Bosler Date: 28 July 2011 Time: 8:00 PM CDT