WOLLONGONG Pelagic Trip Report for 24th November 1996
Trip Summary:
After several days of exceptionally cold and windy conditions for
November we were lucky enough to have a calm and pleasant trip. Bird
numbers were down compared to the last few trips, but we still managed
to produce yet another major rarity to add to this years tally. This
time Little Shearwater of which we had three, all were seen well,
interestingly two of the birds were noted to be in very heavy moult
and could only fly what appeared to be short distances.
Also worthy of note was the exceptional numbers of Wandering Albatross,
several of which were caught and banded before being released. Again it
was considered that several races may have been involved namely gibsoni
and exulans. Other hightlights included a single Mottled Petrel. Sperm
Whales and Common dolphin were also an added bonus.
Conditions:
Fine.
Water temperature 19.1C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 7.15 am and returned at 4.30 pm.
1 metre swell.
5-10 knot changeable winds predominently from the East.
Reached 29 Nautical Miles E of Wollongong.
Those on Board:
A full boat: Graham Barwell, Bob & Gail Berry, Chris Brandis,
Mr & Mrs Stephen Cains, Eric Dempsey, Andrew Dunn, Mark Elwonger,
Mike Flieg, Alan Ford, James Holmes, Jerry Kruth, BIll Maclean,
Travis MacLendon, Esther Murphy, Peter Milburn, Michael O'Cleary,
Tony Palliser, Peter Riese, Don Rathburn, Lindsay Smith and
Bob Taylor.
BIRD LIST
Wandering Albatross (12-14) mostly gibsoni + at least 2 exulans
Black-browed Albatross (4) 3 sub adult, and 1 adult impavida
Shy Albatross (2) sub adult
Great-winged Petrel (75+) Many in heavy primary moult
MOTTLED PETREL (1)
Cookalaria type Petrel? (1)
LITTLE SHEARWATER (3) 2 moulting very heavily
Flesh-footed Shearwater (15-20)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (200+)
Sooty Shearwater (3+)
Short-tailed Shearwater (800+)
Fluttering Shearwater (30+)
Hutton's Shearwater (3-5)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (2)
Australasian Gannet (6+)
Arctic Jaeger (2)
Pomarine Jaeger (9)
Long-tailed Jaeger (2)
Silver Gull (60+)
Kelp Gull (4)
Crested Tern (40+)
Australasian Pelican (6) In the harbour
MAMMAL LIST
Sperm Whale (3+)
Common Dolphin (20+)
The next trip is planned is from Sydney on Saturday 14th December.
Places are still available. To make a booking or find out more contact
either: (Milburn) or (Tony)
Regards
Tony Palliser (Sydney, Australia)
Phone +61 2 9900 1678 or +61 2 94277563
Fax +61 2 9900 1669
Email or
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
|
