Species Groups Accounts Albatross: As is usual in near-shore waters, Black-footed Albatross were scarce. Shearwaters: Only Sooty and Pink-footed Shearwaters were identified during this survey. Mixed flocks on the water were common off shore the Channel Islands; no trends of directional movement were observed. Storm Petrels: Members of this group were scarce throughout the survey. Black-Storm Petrels were the only species reliably identified; additional Storm Petrels with white rumps were also seen, and one bird suspected of being a Sooty Storm Petrel was recorded. The occurrence of the Black Storm Petrel and others in the near-shore waters probably reflects a migrational movement as no Storm Petrels were recorded in the same approximate areas on previous EAC cruises. Cormorants and Pelicans: Only one cormorant was seen during the survey. Brown Pelicans were occasionally seen, but were usually within four or five miles of the islands. Gulls: Sabine's Gulls were seen on the fifth in an area off the USA - Mexican border (see map) but none were seen near the Channel Islands. Western Gulls were the only species of large gull recorded throughout the survey; most were near the islands.