7 September 2009

Mark Darlaston completed a hat-trick of Devon sightings of Fea's Petrel when he spent time seawatching at Prawle Point on 31 August – though he was very nearly side-tracked by an Icterine Warbler!

Mark writes: "Sometimes not knowing what is about is a blessing in disguise. Such was the situation on 31 August. After an overnight stay with friends at East Pawle, I ambled down (late) for a seawatch at Prawle Point. As it was foggy up in the village I assumed the same conditions would be present on the coast, but on reaching the car park I realised the fog was only at a high level. I was also completely oblivious to the fact that Pat Mayer had just found an Icterine Warbler nearby – and luckily for me our paths did not cross, as I would have been looking at and perhaps photographing the warbler and not have walked out to the point.

There was a light SW wind with overcast conditions and I actually thought I was wasting my time, but at least there was a chance of seeing a cetacean or a Basking Shark. After seawatching for 40 minutes and seeing a scattering of mid-range Gannets and Fulmars, a few Manx Shearwaters and a single Balearic Shearwater, events took a dramatic turn.

While scanning with binoculars to the east at 10:01, a very distinct bow shape appeared, doing the accentuated sideways 'shears' of a Pterodroma petrel. Could it be? My pulse started racing and I reached for the scope, quickly relocating the bird. It sheared again to reveal what I was hoping to see: dark underwings contrasting with pure white underbody – a  Fea's (type) Petrel!

As I had picked up the bird well round to the east, I had time to change up to a 45x eyepiece to savour the bird until it went out of sight to the west, in all, in view for 10 glorious minutes as it made its elegant sweeps from side to side.

There is no mobile signal at Prawle, so after making some notes and a sketch (see below), I walked briskly back to the car park and zoomed up out of the village to phone in the news (via Perry Saunders), just in case others could pick the petrel up further down the coast.

I believe the same bird went past Gwennap Head in Cornwall at 15:21 (some 5 hours 10 mins later). Of course, this record is only putative until accepted, but I have been lucky as this was actually my third Fea's in Devon and seventh counting birds seen in Ireland. Even so, I still get a rush every time I see this enigmatic seabird.

Oh, and I never did see that Icterine Warbler!"

Fea's Petrel notes – Prawle Point – © Mark Darlaston – 31 August 2009