Notes on the seabirds of Gough Island and at sea between Gough and Cape Town, March–June 2021

Abstract

Relatively little has been reported about the seabirds of Gough Island, central South Atlantic Ocean, from autumn and winter. We report ad hoc observations on the abundance, phenology and moult of seabirds at Gough Island from March to June 2021, and during the voyages between the island and Cape Town, South Africa. At least 43 species of seabirds were recorded: 1 penguin, 8 albatrosses, 5 southern and 1 northern storm petrel, 22 petrels and shearwaters, 1 gannet, 3 terns and 2 skuas. The results are presented as an annotated species list as well as a daily log of species for the voyages to and from the island. More species were seen per day at sea in June than in March, but fewer individuals were recorded in oceanic waters, mainly due to the large numbers of Great Shearwaters Ardenna gravis in March.