Hi All,
There are three remote-area pelagic trips in the Australasian region
scheduled to take place before the end of the 2009. Given there are spots
available on all of them and each trip is visiting sites that would be all
but impossible to get to on your own, I reckon they're worth a mention here.
1) Ashmore Reef ex Broome WA, 27 October - 3 November 2009. This will be my
5th trip to Ashmore which should say it all! Fantastic marine mammals, great
seabirds, at least three landings on West Island Ashmore Reef and a landing
on the Lacapedes. There are always interesting passerines on Ashmore Reef
and most trips have a reasonable chance of detecting that exciting 'first'
for Australia. As far as I am aware there is no information on the web about
this trip but you should contact George Swann if you are interested in this
one.
http://www.kimberleybirdwatching.com.au/
2) Coral Sea ex Gladstone QLD 4-15 December 2009. This is boat trip out into
the Coral Sea to visit a number of Cays and Islets along the southern edge
of the Great Barrier Reef. Previous trips into this area have produced
numerous Bulwer's Petrels, a previously unrecorded subspecies of the Fairy
Tern for Australian territory, loads of tropical seabirds and some excellent
marine mammal and reptile sightings. Haven't done this one but it sounds
great. Also sounds like there is plenty of time to visit islands, snorkel
and generally relax.
http://www.ecology-solutions.com.au/coralsea2009/
3) Chatham Islands, New Zealand with a pelagic focus. 17- 22 December 2009.
This island group to the east of NZ is one of the seabird breeding capitals
of the world. They plan a full day pelagic out of Owenga to the Star Keys,
South East (Rangatira), Pyramid, Mangere & Little Mangere Islands as well as
chumming at various locations along the way and a half day off the
south-west coast of the Chathams to spend time in the late afternoon looking
for Pterodroma petrels. Anything is possible, but Chatham petrel and Taiko
(or Magenta Petrel) are unlikely 'target' species.
http://www.wrybill-tours.com/schedtours/norsouth.htm#chats
The nature of these trips means they are invariably run as commercial
operations but I have no commercial interest in any of them. I will however
be a participant on the Ashmore trip and would love to be on the other two
but couldn't possibly swing them this year.
Cheers,
Rohan
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
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