Balearic Shearwater - Puffinus mauretanicus
July and August seems to be the best months to see Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus. Since the splitting of Manx Shearwater P puffinus into three seperate species, Sea-watching during these months became quite popular and already in 1992 there were reports of Balearic Shearwaters on 14 July, 18 July and 22 July 1992 at Camperduin NH. On Saturday 25 July 1992, Dirk Moerbeek found a bird along the Hondsbosse Zeewering, just north of Camperduin NH, that stayed for a longer period and could be seen till at least 29 July. On 28 July a second bird was observed, so at least two birds were seen in that period. I saw the bird on 25 July, swimming and sometimes flying for short distances. René Pop was able to make some photographs (see below).
25 July 1992, Hondsbosse Zeewering between Camperduin and Petten NH; © René Pop.
25 July 1992, Hondsbosse Zeewering between Camperduin and Petten NH; © René Pop.
At that time this was the 27th record for the Netherlands (cf Dutch Birding 16: 133 & 135, 1994); Records became regular on a yearly basis and the Dutch rarity committee, the CDNA, decided no longer consider records after 1 January 1998.
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