Cory’s Shearwater

As recently as the 1990s, Cory’s Shearwater was considered a rarity in New Hampshire’s offshore waters. This shouldn’t have come as much of a surprise, since although the species has long been regular in the Gulf Stream off the southeastern United States, it breeds entirely in the northeastern Atlantic – primarily on the Azores and Canary Islands. It’s typically nesting from April to July, after which birds disperse throughout the north Atlantic and into the Mediterranean. Although an abundant species, with a population estimated over half a million, there are few data on population trends, so it’s not clear why Cory’s Shearwater started to appear more frequently in New England waters starting in the late 20th century. Whatever the reason, they are now reliable from July through October and can even be seen in large numbers from shore at places like Cape Cod. But typically, you’ll need to be on a boat, and at least 10 miles offshore, to catch sight of this non-breeding visitor from “across the pond.”