Black Noddy at Islas Frailes: a new species for Panama
A Black Noddy was seen on the Islas Frailes del Norte, Pedasí, Herrera. Also seen were hundreds of Brown Noddies, Bridled and Sooty Terns and Brown and Blue-footed Boobies. A Black Noddy was seen on Islas Frailes del Norte (Las Monjas) at 5:00 P.M. on September 12th, 1998. It was observed by Débora Herrera, Evelyn White, Rosabel & Karl Kaufmann, and Delicia, Darién & Camilo Montañez. The day was overcast, and the sea was relatively calm, allowing for excellent views of the bird. Also, the noddy was standing at eye level, which only made things easier. Observation time was about 15 minutes, and we got as close as 3 meters from the rock, and thus the bird. The Frailes del Norte was full of (breeding?) Brown Noddies, so we had plenty of birds of all ages to compare it with. The Black Noddy was first noted by Rosabel, who picked it out from the ones surrounding it by its brighter white crown. It did not move from its spot in the rock, but would sometimes look the other way, so we h...