The Balearic Shearwater is critically endangered

Here’s a bird likely to go extinct. It’s a Balearic Shearwater.

The stiff wings of its flying-cross silhouette pass so close to wave-tips it’s a wonder they don’t touch and spray the air.

Balearic Shearwaters breed on islands and coastal cliffs in the Balearic islands. Most winter in the Mediterranean, but late summer sees some reach as far as the coasts of Great Britain. Guided by Mike Langman we found a few off the coast of Brixham.

Scattered amongst the waves, they took to flight as we passed, running over the water before sailing in a breeze as stiff as their wings.

They’re a thrill that I wish more people could experience while they are still here.