Ardenna bulleri
September 14, 2003: Offshore-WNW Pt. Sur (35-80 nmi), Monterey, CA
This was a bird that had been seen in the morning, but I’d missed it. When looking at shearwaters, I realized that this one looked different than the pink-footed’s (which is what I thought it was at first). Sure enough, it was different! I was thrilled that I was able to spot this (and that I saw a new bird). Saw a few more later in the afternoon, as well.
August 13, 2004: Monterey Harbor, Monterey, CA
Also a bird I didn’t remember having seen before – these were sort of exciting, though. They are a bit tricky to spot at first, because we found them in with flocks of hundreds and hundreds of sooties – but once I knew what to look for (the bright white on the chest, and the M pattern on the back plumage), I was able to spot them for myself, as well.
October 23, 2010: Farallon Islands, San Francisco County, CA
Seen on a rainy day with rough seas, during a Biology Club field trip.
Let me know what you think!