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SYDNEY NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT -
SEPTEMBER 11, 2004
Trip summary:
A very good day out on the ocean despite
the less-than-ideal winds coming from the north-west at 15-20 knots. The weather
was mostly sunny with occasional light overcast and 1 to 2 metre seas on a
1 metre swell. Water temperatures were quite warm in the 18 -19 degC range. A
contingent of 25 birders, comprised about equally of a group of Swedish and
Danish birders together with local birders and cetacean watchers, had a
successful day with the highlight being great views of a dark-morph KERMADEC
PETREL. After chumming in a stationary position at Brown's Mountain with only a
small number of birds approaching the Halicat, we then proceeded to motor slowly
in a north-easterly direction into deeper water and this brought immediate
results with good numbers of birds appearing including a Kermadec
Petrel which came up the wake to within 30 metres and then promptly disappeared.
One or two disappointed souls who missed this brief appearance were rewarded 20
minutes later when what was surely the same bird returned and flew along the
length of the boat at 10metre range with stunning views enjoyed by all.
Other highlights of the trip were three White-headed Petrels (none of which
approached closely unfortunately), Cape Petrels, good numbers of Wandering,
Yellow-nosed and Black-browed Albatross, and large numbers of newly-returned and
very hungry Wedge-tailed Shearwaters.
An excellent day for cetaceans brought
sightings of at least ten Humpbacked Whales, a pod of Long-finned Pilot Whales,
Oceanic Bottle-nosed Dolphins and a huge pod (500-600) of Oceanic Common
Dolphins, the latter putting on a spectacular jumping display close to the
boat.
Species List:
Giant Petrel
sp.
1 (1)
Cape
Petrel
5 (3)
Great-winged
Petrel
8 (2)
Providence
Petrel
12 (2)
KERMADEC
PETREL
1 (1)
White-headed
Petrel
3 (1)
Wedge-tailed
Shearwater 200 (20)
Short-tailed
Shearwater
1 (1)
Fluttering
Shearwater 400
(50)
Huttons
Shearwater
40 (5)
Wandering
Albatross
6 (3)
Black-browed
Albatross 20 (4)
Yellow-nosed
Albatross 14
(3)
Australasian
Gannet 40
(9)
Silver
Gull
25 (10)
Crested
Tern
35 (12)
Next Sydney trip is Saturday 9 October
and you can call Hal on 0411 311236 to make a booking.
Cheers
Roger McGovern
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