Birds of North Carolina
their Distribution and Abundance
Scientific Name:
Common Name:
 Family (Alpha):
PROCELLARIIDAE Members: Manx Shearwater 116
General Comments
Though the Manx Shearwater is not a rare pelagic species in North Carolina waters, it wasn't until the latter part of the 1980's until its status was clarified and determined to be a regularly occurring species. Unlike the other shearwaters in our state, the Manx nests on islets along the coast of Maine and the Canadian Maritimes, and it winters over a broad but still poorly defined area from Virginia south to South America. Yet, despite its occurrence in the latter continent's waters, and its frequent occurrence around Bermuda, in North Carolina it mostly shuns the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, being found typically in the cooler inshore waters and the cooler Labrador Current waters! It can be a difficult to find species on pelagic trips, in part because it is generally absent during the period when most trips are taken -- late May through Sep. Even when found, it is often just a glimpse of a smallish black and white bird arcing over the waves; it usually takes a study of several birds to make sure that the similar but slightly smaller Sargasso Shearwater has been completely ruled out. In winter 2016-17, there was a remarkable and unprecedented inshore flight of the species, with large numbers seen from shore. A small flight was noted in early Jan 2019 from the northern shore, as well.
Breeding Status
Nonbreeder
NC BRC List
Definitive
State Status
none
U.S. Status
Definitive
State Rank
S1N
Global Rank
G5
Coastal Plain
Offshore transient and winter visitor, but at times seen from shore. Generally uncommon, from Dec thru Mar, though can be fairly common in Mar; rare to uncommon from Apr through May; rare at other times of the year. For uncertain reasons, large numbers were seen from the Dare shore in Jan-Feb 2017, with many dozens seen at several places. Another notable northbound flight was noted from Jennette's Pier (Dare), on 2 Jan 2019, when 100 were seen. Peak offshore counts: 66, off Hatteras, 9 Mar 2002; 60+, off Hatteras, 18 Mar 2006; 42, off Oregon Inlet, 16 Mar 1984. Rarely seen from shore, usually in the winter or spring, and mainly from Hatteras Island; peak from shore: a remarkable 217 in a three-hour span, Jennette's Pier (Dare), 29 Jan 2017; 100 (see above); 29, from the same pier, 7 Jan 2019; 26, Cape Hatteras Point, 22 May 2021; 26 also there, 23 May 2021; 15, Cape Hatteras Point, 22 Mar 2024. No (inland) records away from the coast.
Piedmont
No records.
Mountain
No records.
Finding Tips
The several winter pelagic trips that are currently taken off Hatteras or Oregon inlets often produce a few Manx Shearwaters, but they are often missed, or only a few people see them well. But, be persistent. A couple are seen in the warmer months, but many, many more trips are taken then. Thus, if you are looking specifically for a Manx, take a winter trip; there are lots of potential goodies to be seen on warm weather trips, though don't expect Manx to be one of them. Some birds have been seen from shore in recent winters, especially from Jennette's Pier at Nags Head; you may want to give that a try, but pier- or other shore-watching requires patience and at times an hour or more of intense scoping.