Black-browed Albatross - 1994

One seen close inshore at Skokholm on 19 August 1990 (G. Thompson) and one seen from the Fishguard to Rosslare ferry, about 6 km off Strumble Head, on 17 September 1990 (C.W. Murphy) are the only accepted Pembrokeshire records of this southern hemisphere bird, though several others have been claimed. At least 26 have been recorded in British waters including a few which have summered at gannetries (Colston et al. 1991), something to bear in mind when visiting Grassholm.

Black-browed Albatross

Diomedea melanophris

Vagrant.

Breeds around the southern oceans, is migratory and dispersive. Classified as accidental to Britain single Black-browed Albatrosses have several times spent prolonged periods at Gannetries.

Two recorded occurrences in Pembrokeshire have been accepted by the BBRC. The first was an adult seen from Skokholm by G.Thompson on the 19th August 1990. The second was also an adult, seen from the Rosslare to Fishguard ferry, when about four miles west of Strumble Head on the 17th September 1990. Both sightings probably refer to the same bird, as might an adult at Strumble Head seen on the 12th September 1990 which was not sufficiently well documented to be fully accepted by BBRC.

The following records are noted here in case they are “discovered” by future researchers: a sub – adult seen from Skomer on the 30th August 1989 was not accepted by BBRC and a white headed, black backed albatross floating past Strumble Head, near Gannets doing the same thing, on the 4th October 1995 was just too distant to be specifically identified by the assembled seawatchers of the day.

Graham Rees

(Covers records up to and including 2006)