Seawatching

{{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]]

File:Flamborough Head - geograph.org.uk - 1404391.jpg 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.{{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}} 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.{{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}} 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.

Groups of birds for which seawatching is an effective observation method include petrels, terns and skuas.