Submission No 650: Westland Petrel Procellaria westlandica off Southeast Tasmania 10th April 2010. Submitted by Bill Moorhead, Jack Moorhead and Simon Mustoe.

Verdict: Accepted

A Westland Petrel, Procellaria westlandica, was seen and photographed at sea on the Cascade Seamounts off the south eastern coast of Tasmania (S 43 55’ 32 E 150 20’ 37”) on Blizzard Expedition’s 58’ yacht, Blizzard. Cascade Seamounts off the south eastern Tasmanian coast on the 10^th April 2010.

The bird was described as somewhat ‘barrel’ shaped with a thick almost neckless appearance, combined with broad wings and arrow-shaped tail.  Size was estimated to be similar to White-chinned Petrel P aequinoctialis which was seen on the same expedition.

Members voted unanimously in favour of acceptance agreeing that the features mentioned supported the identification of what can be an extremely difficult bird to identify and the photographs although distant supported the claim.

This is the 8^th record of this species to be accepted by BARC.

References and Bibliography:

• Enticott, J. & Tipling, D. 1977. Photographic Handbook of the Seabirds of the World, New Holland, London.
• Harrison, P. 1989. Seabirds of the World: A Photographic Guide. Christopher Helm, London.
• Marchant, S. & P.J. Higgins. (Eds). 1990. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds, Volume 1 (part A). Oxford University Press, Melbourne.

Tony Palliser