{{Short description|Observation of seabirds from land}} {{Refimprove|date=August 2015}} [[File:GAMBELL, AK - WINGS TOUR 8-29 - 9-8-2008 and after (2858377600).jpg|thumb|Seawatchers in Gambell, Alaska]] [[File:Flamborough Head - geograph.org.uk - 1404391.jpg|thumb|Flamborough Head in northern England is a good place for seawatching]] '''Seawatching''' is a type of birdwatching where participants observe seabirds from a fixed point on the mainland.<ref name="biaf">{{cite book |title=Bird Identification and Fieldcraft: A Birdwatcher's Guide |last=Ward |first=Mark |year=2005 |publisher=New Holland Publishers |isbn=1847731376 |page=80 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=rkKHXgHUFwAC |accessdate=19 August 2015}}</ref> They may do this from a coastal location, usually a headland, looking out to sea, or from a boat or ship.
Seawatching is commonly performed during bird migration seasons, and particularly when weather conditions are suitable. Successful seawatching is very dependent on the weather.<ref name="bwbo">{{cite book |title=Birding with Bill Oddie |last=Oddie |first=Bill |authorlink=Bill Oddie |author2=Stephen Moss |year=2011 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-1849903080 |page=98 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1__Gbb3uvn0C |accessdate=19 August 2015}}</ref> When the weather is fine, birds often stay out to sea, and pelagic trips are then a more effective way to observe them; if onshore winds combine with rain, birds can be forced to migrate close to shore.<ref name="biaf"/>
Groups of birds for which seawatching is an effective observation method include petrels, terns and skuas.
==See also== {{Portal|Birds}} * List of seawatching locations by country
==References== {{Reflist}}
Category:Observation hobbies Category:Ornithological equipment and methods Category:Birdwatching Category:Seabirds
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