Manx Shearwater in flight at sea off the Isles of Scilly

At sea, Isles of Scilly (May 2013)

This image was taken during the Shearwater Special boat trip on the Osprey out of Hugh Town on St. Mary's. The boat departed from the Quay at 8.00 pm and headed west out towards the bird sanctuary at Annet in search of Manx Shearwaters, Puffins and other seabirds. Commentary during the trip was given by local ornithologist Will Wagstaff. The sea was fairly rough with the boat pitching heavily so making the tracking of birds in flight difficult. The Shearwaters were generally observed at distance before sunset. The closest approaches to the boat occurred at dusk. This picture was timed at 9.25 pm hence the very high ISO. The boat returned to Hugh Town at about 10.00 pm.

Tv(Shutter Speed) 1/2000
Av(Aperture Value) 4.0
Exposure Compensation 0
ISO Speed 12800

For more information on this bird species see the following links:
Manx Shearwater / Internet Bird Collection
Manx Shearwater / Bird Forum
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species / Puffinus puffinus
BirdLife International / Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus