Cory's Shearwater

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Cory's Shearwater in the UK

A scarce passage migrant that does not breed in Britain. It nests on Atlantic islands such as the Azores, Madeira and the Canaries and wanders north in late summer. Most are seen off south-west England, with a few each year from North Sea watchpoints. Numbers off the south-west have risen since 2017, with birds staying longer, a change linked to warming seas. In 2023 a record influx produced an estimated 130,000, about three-quarters of all British records since 1958.

Where and when to see a Cory's Shearwater

Seawatch from headlands in west Cornwall between July and October, with a peak from late July through August. Porthgwarra is the classic site in a south-westerly blow, and Pendeen works when the wind swings north-west. The Isles of Scilly are as good: evening pelagic trips from St Mary's get close views, and the Scillonian III ferry crossing regularly passes birds. Go early in the day, take a telescope and pick a spot sheltered from the wind.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: South-west approaches (autumn).
Diet: Fish, squid.
Field note: Lazy languid wingbeat.

How to identify a Cory's Shearwater

A big shearwater, clearly larger and longer-winged than a Manx, with a wingspan over a metre. It is grey-brown above and white below, and the head is plain grey-brown, shading into the white throat with no sharp cap. The bill is pale yellow with a dark tip, visible at long range in good light. The flight is the giveaway: slow, loose wingbeats on bowed wings, then long, lazy glides low over the waves. It can look like a small albatross.

Call and song

Silent at sea in British waters. At breeding colonies it gives loud, wailing calls at night, but you will not hear them here. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Great Shearwater: Great Shearwater has a neat dark cap, a white collar, a thin dark bill and a white band across the base of the tail, and flies with stiffer wingbeats.
• Manx Shearwater: Manx is much smaller and looks black above and white below, with fast flickering wingbeats between glides.
• Scopoli's Shearwater: Scopoli's, the Mediterranean counterpart and a great rarity here, shows white running onto the underside of the primaries and needs good photographs.

Month by month

Numbers peak in May. See the May birding guide for what else is about. More on the season in British seabirds.

Taller bars mean more birds about. Grey means it is usually absent.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Cory's Shearwater is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is not on the Red or Amber lists in Birds of Conservation Concern 5.

Where to see it

Reserves where the Cory's Shearwater is on the list:

• Isles of Scilly

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• Scopoli's ShearwaterLegendary · Open sea (very rare)
• Balearic ShearwaterRare · South coast (autumn)
• Great ShearwaterRare · Open Atlantic (autumn)
• Sooty ShearwaterRare · Open Atlantic (autumn passage)
• American Golden PloverRare · Coastal turf (autumn passage)
• BluetailRare · Coastal scrub (autumn vagrant)

Cory's Shearwater: quick answers

Where can I see a Cory's Shearwater in the UK?

West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly give by far the best chance. Seawatching headlands in Devon and Dorset pick up some as well. On the North Sea coast it is a prize bird, seen in small numbers each year from a handful of well-watched points.

When is the best time to see Cory's Shearwater?

Late July to early September, during or just after strong south-westerly winds that push birds into the western approaches. In recent warm summers birds have lingered into October. Calm days are far less productive from land, but can be good from a boat.

What does a Cory's Shearwater eat?

Fish, squid and crustaceans taken at or just below the surface. It often feeds where tuna and dolphins drive shoals of small fish to the surface, and will follow fishing boats for scraps.

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