Seawatching

Seawatchers in Gambell, Alaska
Flamborough Head in northern England is a good place for seawatching

Seawatching is a type of birdwatching where participants observe seabirds from a fixed point on the mainland.[1] They may do this from a coastal location, usually a headland, looking out to sea, or from a boat or ship.

Seawatching is commonly performed during bird migration seasons, and particularly when weather conditions are suitable. Successful seawatching is very dependent on the weather.[2] When the weather is fine, birds often stay out to sea, and pelagic trips are then a more effective way to observe them; if onshore winds combine with rain, birds can be forced to migrate close to shore.[1]

Groups of birds for which seawatching is an effective observation method include petrels, terns and skuas.

  1. ^ a b Ward, Mark (2005). Bird Identification and Fieldcraft: A Birdwatcher's Guide. New Holland Publishers. p. 80. ISBN 1847731376. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
  2. ^ Oddie, Bill; Stephen Moss (2011). Birding with Bill Oddie. Random House. p. 98. ISBN 978-1849903080. Retrieved 19 August 2015.