Abstract

A Zino’s Petrel Pterodroma madeira was seen and photographed from a boat approximately 3 km southwest of Bishop Rock Lighthouse, Isles of Scilly, on 30th July 2020. The sighting constitutes the first acceptable record for Britain. The viewing time was typically brief and the bird was thought to be Zino’s Petrel on field characteristics. A set of photographs proved the bird’s identity beyond doubt. Elimination of the cryptic confusion species, Fea’s Petrel P. feae and Desertas Petrel P. deserta, is discussed, including results of geolocator studies.IntroductionThe weather conditions leading up to 30th July 2020 were quite unusual and looked promising for the coming evening’s pelagic trip off the Isles of Scilly. There was a steady westerly wind stretching right across the North Atlantic as far as southwest Ireland, and an 18-knots southerly wind reaching the Southwest Approaches from northwest Africa. Scilly was at the meeting point of these two airflows.The MV Sapphire departed St Mary’s Quay at 17.00 hrs with 11 birders on board. There was good light and about 60% cloud cover. Skipper Joe Pender and I discussed which direction to head. On evening trips, we normally take the quickest route to sea, heading south of St Mary’s, but, on this occasion, the brisk southerly winds would have made the boat and the smell of chum blow back towards the islands, reducing the chances of finding and attracting any target seabirds. So, we decided to head to Pol Bank, 5 km southwest of Bishop Rock Lighthouse.