The April pelagic from Sydney on the catamaran, 'Halicat' managed to go
beyond the call of duty yet again, providing a first for New South Wales and
the ability to grip off most local birders currently in other countries,
including the redoubtable trip organiser, Tony Palliser and his erstwhile
cordinater Pete Milburn. Phil Hansboro if you're reading this too I'm sorry;-)
First things first:
Weather was fine with 9/10 cloud cover leaving hte harbour and for the first
6 - 8 NMiles with one rain squall. Followed by clearing weather and
generally fine and sunny weather after about ten miles. Air temp about 25
Celsius and water temp at a remarkable 22.8C at 28NM off Sydney!
Those on board were: Chris Watts; John Reidy; Margaret Piper; Trevor Waller;
Coral Smith; Mark Smith; Steve Anyon-Smith;
Cilla Rose; John Rogers; Peter Phillips; David Siems; Alan Stewart; Glen
Morgan; Marie Rofe; Jo Weineke; Margaret Sykes; Dominic Cousins;
Graham Stevens; Alex Appleman; Terry Baker and Alan McBride. Two people
no-showed and names have been taken and they will suffer:-) apart from dipping!
Birds
GREAT SHEARWATER 1 at 10 NM off over about 190m (85fathoms). All
crucial id features eventually noted after realisation period - usual
expletives deleted.
Bullers Shearwater 1 Seen at about 12 NM - which was really handy
because this bird alone dispelled any reluctant thoughts from the previous
one in flight, jizz, plumage, etc. etc.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1 pale phased bird at 26NM Which after initial
confusion and panic provided excellent views.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 200+ the usual dark ones...
Flesh-footed Shearwater 30
Short-tailed Shearwater 6
Huttons Shearwater 3
Huttons/Fluttering types 2
Black-browed Albatross 3
White-capped Albatross 1
Solander's Petrel 50 + all in sparklingly fresh plumage and looking
stunning
Wilson's Petrel 50+ attracted to slick at 28NM
White-faced Storm Petrel 2
Southern Skua 2
Artic Jaeger 2
Pomarine Jaeger 6
Long-tailed Jaeger 1 with tail growing nicely:-)
Australasian Gannet 200+
Little Pied Cormorant
Great Cormorant
A Pelican
Silver Gull
Crested Tern
Mammals
Risso's Dolphin >8
False Killer Whale Prob this sp with Risso's but not enough decent views
as Great Shearwater was around and ....
Sperm Whale 3 - 5 on shelf break
As usual thanks to Haley Epstein for having such a wonderful boat and to my
alarm clock for waking me up in time.
Best wishes
Alan
Alan McBride
P O Box 190
Newport Beach
NSW 2060
Australia
Home Tel: + 61 2 9973 1536 / Business Tel: + 61 2
9922 1411
Home Fax + 61 2 9973 2306 / Business Fax: + 61 2
9929 5789
Home e-mail / Business e-mail
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