Magnificent Frigatebird

[Adam Cheeseman]

An announcement by the BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION RECORDS COMMITTEE
and BRITISH BIRDS RARITIES COMMITTEE

Magnificent Frigatebird (Fregata magnificens)

Adult male, near Whitchurch, Shropshire
7 November 2005

Admitted to Category A of the British List

Further details can be found at BOU News

[John]

I noticed that as well on my pager. Oh well!! another one I ain't gonna find on my British list.

John

[Adam Cheeseman]

I'm going on the 5 day pelagic from Falmouth next month. I doubt if we'll get MF but a Little Shearwater or Fea's Petrel will do nicely. Hell let's be ambitious and try for the Masked Booby that's around somewhere.

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

Hi Adam

I didn't know about this Pelagic.

I doubt if there are any tickets left but if there are how much was it for the whole thing.

John

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

I'm going on the 5 day pelagic from Falmouth next month. I doubt if we'll get MF but a Little Shearwater or Fea's Petrel will do nicely. Hell let's be ambitious and try for the Masked Booby that's around somewhere.

Cheers,

Adam

[Adam Cheeseman]

Hi John,

Total cost for the berth I've booked is £369 leaving on the 25th Aug and coming back in on the 30th. The ship leaves Falmouth about 5pm and chugs down to the Bay of Biscay and then over to the south coast of Ireland before heading back in past the Scilly Isles back into Falmouth at 8am. The company is called Ultimate Pelagics and this is the only time they will be doing this route as it combines two shorter routes that they have had to drop this year hence the long trip.

Their phone number is 01202 606356 Mon-Fri during office hours.

I'm trying for my yearlist record this year and needed an alternative to the now defunct Scillonian pelagic to get the deepwater seabirds.

It's a very big ship so I can't imagine they willhave run out of all of the cabins. I expect the cheaper ones have gone though.

Hope to see you there,

Adam

ps - it was originally advertized in the British Wildlife magazine.

[John]

Hi Adam

My problem is I am not that good on pelagic species. I can imagine that it would have similar experts as those that did the Scillonian. I found them a great help both on the Scillonian and at the day before's gatherings at Porthgwarra.

Does that cost include a cabin and food?

John

[Adam Cheeseman]

Originally Posted by John

Hi Adam

My problem is I am not that good on pelagic species. I can imagine that it would have similar experts as those that did the Scillonian. I found them a great help both on the Scillonian and at the day before's gatherings at Porthgwarra.

Does that cost include a cabin and food?

John

Hi John,

There will undoubtedly be birding experts on there but you can safely say that the more experienced seawatching old boys will be on there too so there's no need to worry about picking out a Wilson's from all the usual Stormies etc, plus there will be cetacean experts on board as well for all those whales and dolphins they say we should see.

The cost covers everything except drinks, items of a personal nature and so forth (you will need your passport even though we won't be docking anywhere other than Falmouth. It is a huge cruise ship and I gather there are lectures and evening entertainment as well so its not a case of spending the whole time glued to the rails and feeding the fish.

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

Hi Adam

There is a good chance that I can tell the difference of a Wilsons due to the projeted legs (as long as I had a good view) but if the birds were distant I may have a problem (as I would with the other Pelagic Species).

I am trying to get in touch with a mate to join me. I have spoken to Ultimate Pelagics and they are just about to release 70 outside cabins at a reduced rate if two go into them. At the moment I can only think of one mate that might be interested but if he falls by the wayside I might struggle to get onboard.

If Steve can't make it I will put out an appeal to see if anyone else would join me.

John

Originally Posted by Adam Cheeseman

Hi John,

There will undoubtedly be birding experts on there but you can safely say that the more experienced seawatching old boys will be on there too so there's no need to worry about picking out a Wilson's from all the usual Stormies etc, plus there will be cetacean experts on board as well for all those whales and dolphins they say we should see.

The cost covers everything except drinks, items of a personal nature and so forth (you will need your passport even though we won't be docking anywhere other than Falmouth. It is a huge cruise ship and I gather there are lectures and evening entertainment as well so its not a case of spending the whole time glued to the rails and feeding the fish.

Cheers,

Adam

[John]

Hi Adam

See you on the boat.

My mate Steve Lister has been in touch and we are coming. The company are releasing 70 two person outside cabins at a knock down price of £299 per person and we have snatched their hands off.

We will have to find out how we recognise each other. Mind you, look for an old fat guy with a Birdforum cap and you have cracked it.

John

[Adam Cheeseman]

From what I've seen of seawatchers that describes quite a few john

If the weather is good I will probably be wearing a white t-shirt or green jumper with Bedfont Lakes Country Park on it. I tend to hang around the back end of boats as well as that's where most of the birding action takes place, especially whilst they're chumming.

Cheers,

Adam