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NEWCASTLE, NSW, PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 20/08/06

To: Birding Aus <>
Subject: NEWCASTLE, NSW, PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 20/08/06
From: Mick Roderick <>
Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:28:38 +1000 (EST)
20th August 2006 - Newcastle Pelagic Trip Report
  Prepared by M.Roderick

  Present on board  - Richard Baxter (leader/organiser), Inger Van Dyke, Phil 
Hansbro (leader), Alan Stuart, Grant Penryhn, Rob Quinan, Lorna Mee, Graeme 
O'Connor, Dick Jenkin, Mick Roderick.

  Departed Newcastle Harbour 0715, returned approx 1730.
  Sea to 0.5 to 1m, swell to 1.0m.
  Winds 10-15 knots from the SE, easing in the afternoon.
  Generally a fine, warm day. Air temperature to 24o
  Water temperature approx 20.3o
  Drifted north from S 33 3 25 E 152 27 31 to S 33 02 15 E 152 31 20

  Summary:

  A generally slow day for most people aboard, though for one lucky punter it 
was her first pelagic and virtually everything seen was new. From about 2km off 
the heads we encountered rafts of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters along with 
Fluttering and Hutton's as well as Yellow-nosed Albatross and a single 
Black-browed Albatross. Dozens of Gannets were also working just offshore, 
including a group of about 30 birds settled on the surface.

  Upon arrival at our berleying point, just beyond the shelf, a large fin was 
noticed in the water. This was drawn to the attention of the skippers, who 
being game-fishermen, quickly identified it as a 200kg+ Blue Marlin. This was 
confirmed as the fish swam closer to the boat, the entire (approx. 8ft) body 
visible for a brief moment.

  The birding was quite slow, with some scattered Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 
and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at the rear of the boat. Good numbers of 
Solander's Petrels were observed flying south, as well as a lone Short-tailed 
Shearwater. A single Fairy Prion soon followed, the only Prion of the day. 
Small numbers of White-faced Storm Petrel and Cape Petrel were also observed. 
The small numbers of Yellow-nosed Albatross and at least two Northern Giant 
Petrels made the most of the berley trail. At about 1400, a darkish 
Storm-petrel appeared, quickly identified as a BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL, with 
all features easily recognised and numerous photo's snapped in quick 
succession. At least one other of these birds was seen in the following 
half-hour. A young Gibson's Albatross zoomed in and straight through in the 
late afternoon, whilst a second Wandering type Albatross was seen soon after 
from a distance.

  On the way back the skids went on as a single SALVIN'S ALBATROSS was observed 
off the bow wave. The Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Gannets and to a lesser extent 
the Yellow-nosed Albatross were still present close to the heads in the 
afternoon as well.

  Species / counts (numbers in parenthese are the highest count around the boat 
at any one point in time)

  Cape Petrel   3 (1)
  Northern Giant Petrel   2 (2)
  Providence Petrel   30 (3)
  Fairy Prion  1
  Wedge-tailed Shearwater  600 (50)
  Short-tailed Shearwater   1
  Fluttering Shearwater  20 (4)
  Hutton's Shearwater  350 (10)
  Gibson's Albatross 1
  Wandering (type) Albatross   1
  Black-browed Albatross   1
  Shy Albatross   1
  SALVIN'S ALBATROSS   1
  Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross   30 (5)
  White-faced Storm Petrel   3 (1)
  BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL   20 (8)
  Australasian Gannet   150 (45)
  Crested Tern   20 (4)

  Regards,

  Mick

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