Today, myself, Rod Gardner and Lorne Johnson had no doubt one of our best sea
watching experiences that we have ever had. Myself and Lorne enthusiastically
drove from home in the early morning in the cold and rain but for a purpose. We
both got to Maroubra at the same time, about 7:30 am. We then headed off to
Magic Maroubra on foot sighting 3 Brown Quail walking along the track
infront of us, an Eastern Reef Egret on the rocks, and flushed a
Southern Emuwren as we passed through heath. As soon as we arrived at point
and until 1 pm, it was non-stop action. Within a few minutes myself and Lorne
had about 10 species of seabird and included a new one for both of us -
COMMON DIVING PETREL. We soon learnt that the Common Diving Petrel has a
very diagnostic flight, with constant rapid whirring wings (appearing non-stop)
unlike any of the other seabirds seen that day, making this fairly tiny seabird
easy to identify. We also had great views of 3 species of Albatross, Fluttering
Shearwaters, numerous Prions, Antarctic Skua etc. Shortly after Rod
Gardner joined us and we continually saw more great seabirds, including 2
Wandering and atleast 8 Shy Albatross, many close in Fairy
Prions within atleast 30 metres off the rocks, atleast 1 Antarctic
and 1 Slender-billed Prion, Northern and other Giant
Petrels, White-fronted Terns, and an absolute highlight for Rod, an
ARCTIC TERN in full breeding plumage. This brilliant bird had a nice red
bill, grey wash to breast and belly, narrow-dark trailing edge to primaries, and
nice long white tail streamers. We took brief notes and rough sketch of the bird
so that we can send in a rarities form. This is second time I have seen one in
full breeding plumage during winter when they should be now up in the northern
hemisphere. I saw one in full breeding plumage perched on the rocks near Norah
Head a few years ago.
Though the winds could have even been better which appeared mainly from the
SW, they were quite moderate and enough to drive many seabirds towards the rocks
in for excellent viewing. One can clearly see the diagnostic mark of the
black-armpit of a Shy Albatross or the distinguishing features of the prions.
Many may have the impression that all they will see is little dots in the ocean
by land-based sea watching but when the conditions are ideal (which do not come
too often), sea watching can be as great (if not better) than a pelagic trip and
truly an exciting experience which can be too much for words. You have to be out
there to experience it.
The list of sea birds seen during the time is as follows:
Fairy Penguin (heard)
Black-browed Albatross (60 plus)
Campbell Island Albatross (race Impavida of Black-browed based on
current taxonomy) (1)
Yellow-nosed Albatross (4 plus)
Shy Albatross (8) (all probably race cauta)
Wandering Albatross (2) (including possibly atleast 1 Gibsons
Albatross)
NORTHERN GIANT PETREL (1)
other Giant Petrel species (4)
SLENDER-BILLED PRION (1-2)
ANTARCTIC PRION (1)
Fairy Prion (100-200)
other Prion species (200 plus)
Huttons Shearwater (2 plus)
Fluttering Shearwater (100 plus)
COMMON DIVING PETREL (3)
Australasian Gannet (10 plus)
Little Pied Cormorant
Great Cormorant
Antarctic Skua (2)
Kelp Gull (1 Imm)
Silver Gull
Crested Tern
White-fronted Tern (3 plus)
ARCTIC TERN (1 in full breeding plumage)
Other non-seabirds
Peregrine Falcon (pair)
Feral Pigeon (1)
I hope this will get many out sea watching as it can truly be an "UMREAL
FANTASTIC" experience.
Edwin
