Wollongong NSW Pelagic Trip Report - March 25, 2000

["Roger McGovern" <>]

Conditions

 

Departed at 07.20 and returned at 15.40.

Sea conditions somewhat lumpy with a 2-3 metre swell and a 1-2 metre sea.

Weather sunny with some cloud and a moderate southerly wind.

Water temperature around 21 degrees C.

 

Those on board

 

Bob Butler

Rod Gardner

David Hair

David Heath (Portland, Oregon)

Laurie Jones (Mildura)

Roger McGovern

Marilyn and Ken Rix (Wentworth)

Bill Sleight

 

Summary

 

A very pleasant and interesting day for all on board with a very odd mixture of unusual southern ocean and tropical sightings. We could only assume that the strong southerlies of the past few days were responsible for the former, and that the high water temperature was responsible for the latter.

In terms of cold ocean species, when was the last time, if ever, that three albatross species were recorded on a March pelagic? The counterpoint to these were the magnificent sightings of two White Terns and two Grey Ternlets with excellent close views enjoyed by all. Large numbers of Hutton's Shearwaters were unusual for March, and good manoevering of the Sandra K by Carl gave terrific close views of a Buller's Shearwater just before getting back to the harbour.

Also of great note was a pod of 200-300 Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins jumping clear all around the boat, a species which has a normal southern range limit around the NSW/Queensland border.

 

Birds

(Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)

 

Wandering Albatross (gibsoni)   1 (1)

Shy Albatross (cauta)               2 (1)

Yellow-nosed Albatross             1 (1)

Great-winged Petrel                  6 (3)

Providence Petrel                     4 (1)

Wilson's Storm Petrel               7 (3)

Fluttering Shearwater              40 (5)

Hutton's Shearwater                70 (8)

Short-tailed Shearwater           10 (3)

Wedge-tailed Shearwater       200 (60)

Flesh-footed Shearwater          40 (10)

BULLER'S SHEARWATER        1 (1)

Australasian Gannet                14 (2)

Arctic Skua                              4 (1)

Pomarine Skua                       25 (9)

Kelp Gull                                  6 (2)

Silver Gull                              150 (70)

Crested Tern                             1 (1)

WHITE TERN                            2 (1)

GREY TERNLET                       2 (1)

Australian Pelican                     2 (2)        harbour

Great Cormorant                       1 (1)        harbour

Little Pied Cormorant                 1 (1)        harbour

 

 

Mammals

 

Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin         200-300

Common Dolphin                            20

 

Regards

Roger McGovern