28.4.96 WOLLONGONG PELAGIC SEABIRD TRIP
Sorry but this was one of those you had to be there days!!!!
Departed at 7.00 am and returned at 4.30 pm.
2 Metre swell, 20 knot winds.
We reached 30 Nautical Miles East ofWOLLONGONG.
We had a fantastic trip and even I got a lifer. The highlight of the day was
undoubtedly good but brief views of a pale phase HERALD PETREL, the fourth
record I know of off New South Wales. We also had brilliant views of 2 pale
phase KERMADEC PETRELS so that's 3 descriptions I have to write for 1 days
birding! All the Pterodromas were coming in very close to the boat, with
Solander's Petrels in fresh, almost purple plumage, down to 5 metres. We had
total of species.
Those on board; Phil Hansbro (leader), Kevin Bartram, Alex Watson, John Reidy,
Eric Andrew, Mick Webb, Sam Bosanquet, John Izzard, Paul McDonald, Richard
Yank, Ian Lundy and Bill McLean.
THE BIRDS
Black-browed Albatross (3+, all adults at least 2 of which were impavida)
Yellow-nosed Albatross (3+, 2 adults 1 Immature)
Great-winged Petrel 20+
Solander's Petrel 100+
HERALD PETREL 1 pale phase (the third record for Wollongong and the second
April record)
KERMADEC PETREL 2 pale phase (the 21st and 22nd records for Wollongong, but
most have been dark phases in the past)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 500+
Flesh-footed Shearwater 3+
Short-tailed Shearwater 10+
Sooty Shearwater 2+
Fluttering Shearwater 5+
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 3+
Australasian Gannet 5+
Australian Pelican 4
Pomarine Skua 1+
Arctic Skua 1
Long-tailed Skua 1
Kelp Gull 8+
Silver Gull 30+
Crested Tern 5+
The Pelagics go out on the Fourth (and not the last) Sunday of the month from
Wollongong, or the second Sunday of every other month from Sydney. The cost is
$50 Australian (from Wollongong) or $60 Australian from Sydney and I prefer a
deposit, especially for large groups, of half the cost. The boat leaves at 7.00
am from Wollogong harbour next to the Coast Guard Station and we usually arrive
back between 4.30-5.30 pm or at 7.00 am from Rose Bay wharf in Sydney returning
at ~3.00pm. I recommend you bring Bins, Sea-sickness pills, Food and Drink in
that order.
So please get back in touch if you would like to book any places on the boat.
If you would like any other information do not hesitate to contact me.
Cheers
Phil Hansbro
Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association
(h) 06-249 8234 (w) 06-249 3091
Fax; 06-249 4891
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