Black-browed Albatross
Thalassarche melanophris (Temminck, 1828) (1, 36)
Photo © Matthew K. Naylor, Bempton, July, 2021
STATUS
Oceanic. Monotypic.
OVERVIEW
The first two records were inland of this Southern Ocean wanderer. Since then new individuals have occurred on three occasions in Wales and ten in Scotland, two being in the Northern Isles. In England fifteen have been recorded in the south-west area and fourteen from east coast locations.
After spending two days on the Yorkshire coast in 2020, this individual returned in 2021 to spend 89 days there and repeated the stay in 2022 with 127 days to the delight of many.
BBRC RECORDS
1). 1897 Cambridgeshire Linton, sub-adult, picked up exhausted, 9th July.
(E. A. Butler, Ibis 1897: 625; J. G. Tuck, Zoologist 1897: 363-364; E. A. Butler, Field 28th Aug., 1897: 389; Saunders, 1899; W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 109: 146).
2). 1952 Derbyshire Staveley, immature, found in telegraph wires, released, and taken to Skegness and released, mid-August, photo.
(M. H. Edmunds, Field 13th Sep., 1952: 424; J. D. Macdonald, British Birds 46: 110-111, plate 13; D. L. Serventy, British Birds 46: 307-308; P. A. Clancey, British Birds 46: 308; H. F. I. Elliott, British Birds 46: 308-310; W. R. P. Bourne, Ibis 109: 147, 148; Frost, 1978).
3). 1965 Devon Morte Point, immature, 25th April.
(D. D. Harber and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 59: 283; P. F. Goodfellow, Devon Bird-Watching and Preservation Society Report 1965: 5).
4). 1965 Yorkshire Spurn, 4th to 7th November.
(D. D. Harber and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 59: 283).
5.0). 1967 Lothian Bass Rock area, adult, 18th May to 28th September, photo.
(G. Waterston, British Birds 61: 22-27, plates 1-4; W. L. N. Tickell, British Birds 61: 272-273; F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 61: 332; G. Waterston, Scottish Birds 5: 20-23, plates 1-3; British Birds 102: plate 262).
6). 1967 Yorkshire Filey Brigg, 19th October.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 61: 332).
5.1). 1968 At sea Sea area Forth, 19 km NE of Eyemouth, Berwickshire, 7th or 8th February; presumed same as Bass Rock.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 62: 460).
5.2). 1968 Lothian Bass Rock area, adult, 13th April to 20th July, photo; presumed returning individual.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 62: 460; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo).
7). 1968 Yorkshire Filey Brigg, immature, 13th October.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 62: 460; F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 64: 367).
5.3). 1969 At sea Sea area Forth, about 9 km off St Abb's Head, Berwickshire, 28th February; same as Bass Rock.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 269).
5.4). 1969 Lothian Bass Rock, adult, four times from 10th April to 3rd May; presumed returning individual.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 269).
5.5). 1969 Yorkshire Hornsea, adult, 24th April; presumed same as Bass Rock.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 269).
5.6). 1969 Orkney Hoy, adult, 13th August; presumed same as Bass Rock.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 269; K. Janich, M. Janich & N. van Swelm, Scottish Birds 6: 26-27).
5.7). 1969 Fife Off Elie Ness, adult, 23rd August; same as Bass Rock.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 63: 269).
8.00). 1972 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 21st July to 4th August, photo.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 67: 342; Scottish Bird Report 1972: plate 25a).
9). 1972 Fife Fife Ness, adult, 8th August.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 66: 333; P. A. Lassey, Scottish Birds 7: 308).
8.01). 1974 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, about 10th June to 7th August, photo; presumed returning individual.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 68: 309, plate 47b).
8.02). 1974 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, 26th October; presumed same as Shetland.
(F. R. Smith and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 68: 309).
8.03). 1975 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 16th March to 23rd August, photo; presumed returning individual.
(J. N. Dymond and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 69: 327; J. O'Sullivan and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 70: 444; W. J. Sutherland & D. J. Brooks, British Birds 72: 286-288, plates 149 & 150).
8.04). 1975 Orkney Scapa Flow, adult, 21st August; presumed same as Shetland.
(J. N. Dymond and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 69: 327).
8.05). 1976 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 28th April to 30th August; presumed returning individual.
(J. O'Sullivan and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 70: 412; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 484).
8.06). 1976 At sea Sea area Fair Isle, South of Lerwick, 27th July; presumed same as Shetland.
(J. O'Sullivan and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 70: 412).
8.07). 1977 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 23rd March to 20th September; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 71: 488).
8.08). 1978 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 23rd March to 3rd September; also seen Yell Sound, 21st and 26th July, photo; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 72: 508, plates 149 & 150).
10). 1978 Isles of Scilly 8 km NE of St Mary's, apparent adult, 20th September, possibly another, 5.5 km NE of St Mary's, 16th October, apparently showing sub-adult characters.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 72: 508).
8.09). 1979 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 31st March to 6th September; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 73: 493; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 74: 455; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 484).
11). 1980 Dorset Durlston Head, probable adult, 4th February.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 74: 455).
8.10). 1980 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 15th March to 9th August; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 74: 455; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 508).
8.11). 1981 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 21st February to mid August; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 75: 484).
8.12). 1982 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 14th February to 10th September, photo; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 76: 478, plate 199).
12). 1982 Cornwall St Ives, 5th October.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 508).
8.13). 1983 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 17th March to 16th September; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 77: 508).
8.14). 1984 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 27th February to 7th October; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 78: 532; A. Hogg, Scottish Bird Report 1984: 13).
8.15). 1984 At sea Sea area Irish Sea, North Channel, about 10 km W of Corsewall Point, Dumfries & Galloway, 7th August.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 442).
8.16). 1985 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 10th March to late September; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 79: 529).
8.17). 1986 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 18th March to 6th September, photo; presumed returning individual.
(British Birds 79: plate 215; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 80: 521).
8.18). 1987 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, adult, 16th February to 2nd July; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 81: 539).
8.19). 1988 At sea Sea area Dogger, adult, 21st May, photo; presumed same as Shetland.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 442, plate 253).
13). 1988 Cornwall Gwennap Head, immature, 30th August.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 83: 442).
8.20). 1990 At sea Sea area Viking, 60° 00' N 02° 00' E, 30th January, photo; presumed same as Shetland.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 508).
8.21). 1990 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 27th March to 7th April, 26th, 31st May, 10th June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 84: 452).
14.0). 1990 Pembrokeshire Skokholm, 19th August.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 85: 510).
8.22). 1990 At sea Sea area Cromarty, 57° 49' N 02° 50' W, 12.6 km N of Portknockie, North-east Scotland, 5th September, photo; presumed same as Shetland.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 452).
14.1). 1990 Pembrokeshire Sea area Irish Sea, about 6 km off Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire, 17th September; presumed same as Skokholm.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 452).
8.23). 1991 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 23rd March to 13th April, intermittently to 4th June, photo; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 85: 510; Shetland Bird Report 1991: photo; Forrester & Andrews et al., 2007: photo).
8.24). 1992 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 19th April to 30th June; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 86: 452).
8.25). 1993 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 7th April to 13th July; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 508).
8.26). 1993 At sea Sea area Wight, about 54 km SE off Newhaven, Sussex, 17th October.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 87: 508).
8.27). 1994 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 26th March to 24th July; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 88: 497).
8.28). 1995 Shetland Hermaness, Unst, 3rd April to 7th July; presumed returning individual.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 89: 485).
15). 1999 At sea Sea area Plymouth, 16-22 km SW of Looe, Cornwall, immature, 19th, 22nd June, photo.
(Birding World 12 (7): 262, photo; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 94: 455).
16). 2001 Kent Dungeness, age uncertain, 4th May.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 479).
17). 2001 At sea Sea area Rockall, MFV Celnius, 57° 25' N 13° 28' W, second calendar-year or younger, 3rd to 4th August, photo.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 95: 479).
18). 2002 Outer Hebrides St Kilda, adult, 12th June.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 545).
19.0). 2002 Yorkshire Spurn, adult, 22nd September; also in Lothian.
(Yorkshire Birding 11: 99-101; M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 545).
19.1). 2002 Lothian Torness, adult, 13th October; presumed same as Yorkshire.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 96: 545).
20). 2002 Norfolk Mundesley, 31st December.
(M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 97: 568; M. Fiszer, Norfolk Bird & Mammal Report 2003: 278).
21). 2004 Norfolk Sheringham, 10th October.
(P. A. Fraser, M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 25).
22). 2005 Anglesey South Stack, adult, 12th February.
(P. A. Fraser, M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 25).
23.0). 2005 Outer Hebrides Sula Sgeir, adult, 25th to 31st August, photo.
(M. S. Scott, Birding World 18 (9): 382-384, plates 1-4; Birding World 18 (12): 509, photo; British Birds 98: plates 392 & 393; P. A. Fraser, M. J. Rogers and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100: 25; Birding Scotland 8 (4): plate 195).
23.1). 2006 Outer Hebrides Sula Sgeir, adult, 23rd May to 1st July, photo; presumed returning bird of 2005.
(P. A. Fraser and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 100:702).
23.2). 2007 Outer Hebrides Sula Sgeir, adult, 8th to 10th May, photo; presumed returning individual.
(Birding World 20 (5): 180, photo; Birding World 20 (12): 510, photo; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 101: 527; Scottish Birds 29: plate 82).
24). 2008 Argyll Machrihanish, Kintyre, adult, 27th October.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 102: 538).
25). 2009 Cornwall Porthgwarra, first-year or second-year, 26th July.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 570).
26). 2009 Isles of Scilly Off Peninnis Head, St Mary's, fifth-year, 21st September, photo.
(E. A. Fisher & R. L. Flood, Birding World 22 (9): 379-381, plates 1-6; British Birds 102: plate 410; N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 103: 570, plate 309; D. Thompson, R. L. Flood & E. A. Fisher, Isles of Scilly Bird and Natural History Review 2009: 125-126).
27). 2010 Yorkshire Flamborough Head, adult, 26th May.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 105: 562).
28). 2012 At sea Sea area Portland, c. 50 km S of Portland Bill, sub-adult, 17th June, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 108: 575; M. J. Lawson, Dorset Bird Report 2013: 149).
29.0). 2015 Suffolk Minsmere RSPB, 6CY+, 12th July, photo.
(N. A. J. Hudson and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 109: 574, plate 303; Suffolk Birds 2015: photo).
29.1). 2016 Fair Isle Buness and Landberg, 7CY+, 28th May, photo; presumed same as 2015 Suffolk.
(British Birds 109: plate 241; Scottish Birds 36: plates 249 a-d; C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569, plate 301; Fair Isle Bird Observatory Report 2016: plate 36).
30). 2016 Devon Prawle Point, 5CY+, 19th August.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569).
31.0). 2016 Yorkshire Filey, Bempton and Flamborough Head, 3CY+, 5th October, photo; also in Norfolk.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569; Yorkshire Bird Report 2016: photo).
31.1). 2016 Norfolk Cley-next-the-Sea, 3CY+, 6th October; same, Happisburgh, 3CY+, 7th October; same as Yorkshire.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 590).
32.0). 2016 Highland Sheigra, Sutherland, 1CY+, 7th October; also in Caernarfonshire, Cornwall.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569).
32.1). 2016 Caernarfonshire Bardsey, 1CY+, 16th October; same as Highland; also in Cornwall.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569).
32.2). 2016 Cornwall Cape Cornwall, 1CY+, 18th October; same as Highland; also in Caernarfonshire.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 110: 569).
33.00). 2017 Northumberland Cocklawburn, 5CY+, 4th May; also in Yorkshire, Co. Durham, Borders, Lothian.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
33.01). 2017 Yorkshire Thornwick Bay, Flamborough, 5CY+, 13th May; same as Northumberland; also in Co. Durham, Borders, Lothian.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
33.05). 2017 Lothian Seacliff, 5CY+, 29th June, photo; same as Northumberland; also in Yorkshire, Co. Durham, Borders.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
33.06). 2017 Northumberland Farne Islands, 5CY+, 29th June; also in Yorkshire, Co. Durham, Borders, Lothian.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
33.02). 2017 Borders St Abbs, 5CY+, 29th June; same as Northumberland; also in Yorkshire, Co. Durham, Borders, Lothian.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
33.04). 2017 Co. Durham Whitburn, 5CY+, 29th June; same as Northumberland; also in Yorkshire, Borders, Lothian.
(C. Holt and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 111: 564).
34). 2019 Cornwall Lizard Point, 4CY+, 8th to 9th February, photo.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 113: 610).
33.07). 2020 Yorkshire Filey Brigg, 8CY+, 2nd July; same, Bempton Cliffs RSPB, 2nd to 3rd July; also seen Suffolk, Northumberland; presumed returning individual.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 590, plate 397).
33.08). 2020 Northumberland Holy Island, 8CY+, 25th September; also seen, Suffolk, Yorkshire; presumed returning individual
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 590).
33.09). 2020 Suffolk Lowestoft, Southwold, Sizewell and Thorpeness, 8CY+, 28th September; also seen Northumberland, Yorkshire; presumed returning individual.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 114: 590).
33.10). 2021 Yorkshire Bempton Cliffs, 9CY+, 28th June to 24th September, photo; presumed returning individual.
(British Birds 114: plate 314; C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 577, plates 431 & 432).
35). 2021 Cornwall Pendeen Watch, 3CY+, 10th October.
(C. Holt, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 115: 577).
33.11). 2022 Yorkshire Bempton Cliffs RSPB, adult, 30th March to 3rd August; presumed returning individual.
(British Birds 115: plate 208; L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 572, plate 345).
36). 2022 Shetland Lamba Ness, Unst, 4CY+, 16th June, photo.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 572).
37). 2022 Devon Prawle Point, 4CY+, 18th September.
(L. Bacon, P. French and the Rarities Committee, British Birds 116: 572).
P). 2023 Cornwall Off St Ives, immature, 5th to 21st January, photo.
(birding information services).
P). 2023 At sea Irish Sea, c. 8 km off Gwynt y Môr, from a boat, 9th July.
(birding information services).
P). 2023 Devon English Channel, adult, from MV Pont-Aven, 26th September.
(birding information services).
