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title: "A white-phase Southern Giant Petrel visits Gough Island"
---

# A white-phase Southern Giant Petrel visits Gough Island

White-phase Southern Giant Petrels occur more commonly at high latitudes.  Gough Island in the South Atlantic is the most northerly breeding locality for the species and records of white-phase individuals are rare there, mostly seen during winter (Ryan 2007).  To date no white-phase birds have been seen ashore on Gough.

 During September 2010 a white-phase Southern Giant Petrel was seen repeatedly over several days and photographed flying close by and on the sea surface from the m.v. *S.A. Agulhas*while anchored or steaming close inshore of the east coast of Gough Island.

  ![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/white-phase_southern_giant_petrel_gough_sept2010_2_steve_yaxley.jpg)![](https://www.acap.aq/images/stories/acap/Birds/Petrels/S/white-phase_southern_giant_petrel_gough_sept2010_steve_yaxley.jpg "White-phase Southern Giant Petrel off Gough Island.  Photograph by Steve Yaxley ")

  Thanks to Steve Yaxley, Chief Engineer, m.v. *S.A. Agulhas*, who made the observations and took the photographs.

 **Reference:**

 Ryan, P.G. (Ed.). 2007.  *Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of Tristan da Cunha and Gough Island*.  Newbury: Tristan Government.

 *John Cooper, ACAP Information Officer, 11 October 2010*