The Leach (storm) Petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) is a member of the
tubenose family. They are nocturnal birds on their breeding sites to avoid predation from Gulls and Skua's, although unfortunately on St. Kilda the Great Skua adapted his behaviour by chasing them at night. The breeding population of Leach Petrels on St. Kilda declined, where the population of Great Skua increased.
Outside the breeding season, Leach petrels are strictly pelagic, which means they are always at sea.
Because of their remote breeding sites, the chances of seeing Leach petrels is small. That is why I am so excited about this opportunity.
It is after 11.00 PM when Gina turns up for the excursion. We leave in almost dark; the petrels won't show themselves before dark, and Gina doesn't promise we will see them at all.
On our way up we suddenly hear a single petrel. The sound is mechanical, like an old taperecorder getting stuck. I couldn't make a picture because of the dark, but I did make a recording of the sound.
After twenty minutes or so, more petrels awake, and from several cleits we hear the clicking sounds of the petrels. Now they start to fly over us too, fast and swift like bats.
We enjoy this spectacle for about three quarters of an hour, and we begin to feel cold. At the end of the show a manx shearwater shouts, which I never heard before; it sounds like a heavy smoker.
On our way back we also hear the storm petrel, another family member, but smaller and with another rump pattern and flight.
After arriving home we have a short drink with Gina and the others. Its about two o'clock when I go to bed. I found this evening very exciting!
