ORNITHOLOGICAL TRANSECTS IN THE NORTH ATLANTIC

An analysis is presented of observations made in the North Atlantic from 14 August to 10 September 1966, and comparisons are made with previously published data relating to this area. The majority of the records were obtained during transects along latitudes 55° N. and 58° N., but other data were collected in Labrador and Newfoundland coastal waters. During the period spent at sea 30 species were recorded, including five passerine species that came aboard ship. Manx Shearwaters were seen in Newfoundland waters where there have been few previous records. The record of a Balearic Shearwater appears to be the most northerly to date. Some evidence of correlation was found between the numbers of Great Shearwaters seen and the surface water temperature, but there was little evidence of correlation in the case of the Fulmar. Other points of interest are the records of moult in the Great Shearwater, and the records of Grey Phalaropes and Sabine's Gulls. An analysis of the skua movements suggests that the Arctic Skuas seen originated from Scandinavia, the Great Skuas from Iceland and the Pomarine and Long-tailed Skuas from the Canadian arctic.