Petrelfied!

Leach's Storm Petrel I found in the Tern colony 2010. Notice the tube shaped nostril on top of the beak.

Our first research post is about one of the more elusive species nesting on Metinic.  Leach’s Storm Petrels belong to the tube nosed Order Procellariiformes, and are related to Shearwaters and Albatross.

Petrel burrow found under a piece of driftwood near the south cove. Yellow flags are used to mark and number the burrows.

Most of you have never seen one of this species before, it’s even difficult for us researchers to see one without night vision, though they are living underneath our cabin!  That’s right, not only do Leach’s Storm Petrels nest in burrows underground, but they are nocturnal!

 

Petrel burrow under old stone wall. With the number of cracks and crevices, smell is the only option for identifying a burrow in use.

 

So how do find a bird that isn’t above ground while you’re awake? THEY SMELL!!!  Imagine a mix between moth balls and old books… My reaction was precious the first time I was told we would be finding burrows by smelling holes, but to be honest, you will smell a burrow before you see it.

Jennie smelling for Petrels despite finding a Garter Snake on her 4th hole. She puts Indiana Jones to shame!

Usually burrows will be under a large stone or tree to prevent collapse or compression.  Luckily the old stone walls on the island provide excellent nesting habitat, and many of the Petrels choose to burrow under them.  We were able to find 53 burrows in just one afternoon, and the smell was stuck in our noses for the rest of the day.

Satisfactorily congested,

            Metinic Crew (Charlie Walsh, Jennie Wiacek, and special guests Courtney Viall, and Adrienne Leppold)

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