Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels

From Birding Wiki

Strictly pelagic birds, Shearwaters and Storm-Petrels come ashore only to breed and are seen only over the ocean from city beaches and points. Most of the species are rarely seen inshore but a strong storm or hurricane has been known to push them close. In the case of hurricanes some pelagic birds have been "deposited" on inland lakes having been pushed inland by the ferocious winds. The best way to see any of this family of birds is via a pelagic trip that travels perhaps 50 miles offshore to areas where ocean upwellings bring food sources to the surface.

Wilson's Storm-Petrel is perhaps the most numerous bird in the world. It is seen locally offshore, primarily in late summer, when it is wintering in the northern hemispheric summer before returning to the southern hemisphere to breed. Of the various species of Storm-Petrel, this is the only one you're likely to see from shore or on whale watch boats.

Albratrosses are strictly vagrants on the east coast, rarely seen even offshore.

Shearwaters are somewhat more numerous, with Cory's and Greater Shearwaters seen in late summer after breeding in the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The smaller Audubon's Shearwater is also seen most frequently in late summer, whereas the closely similar Manx Shearwater is most often encountered in winter.

• Cory's Shearwater
• Greater Shearwater
• Manx Shearwater
• Audubon's Shearwater
• Wilson's Storm-Petrel