A historical background to the group is given, and we learn that the first petrels can be found in fossils aged between 40 and 45 million years old.
Southern giant petrels moved their breeding sites to the western part of the island, which could have been caused by increased visitation.
Skuas, snow petrels, and a solitary giant petrel enlivened the trip.
Cape petrels breed on one rock in the rarely visited south of the island.
This perhaps unparalleled breadth of comparative study on petrels undertaken over 30 years is reflected in the general chapters, as important insights often come from personal experience.
Four pairs of southern giant petrels in a frequently visited area of the island were compared with four in a rarely visited area.
The populations of storm petrels were estimated by nocturnal calls of the birds.
At this time of year, prions and petrels are active.
