*BA-Vic Group Pelagic off Portland, Victoria, Sunday 13 February 2011
Participants:* Tim Bawden, Rob Farnes, Dougald Frederick, Peter Lansley,
Rosemary Lester, Grant Penrhyn, Paul Sutherland, Chris Lester (organiser).
*Crew:* Tony and Adrian.
*Activity:* Departed Portland harbour aboard the boat from Game On
Charters at 07.05, passing Lawrence Rocks and heading south to the
shelf. Went straight out over the shelf to our first stop made over ~200
fathoms of water (38°49.39'E, 141°45.08S). Berleyed here from 09.20 till
11 before moving in a bit to 38°52.13'E, 141°49.29S . We stayed there
from 12.00 until 13.00. From 13.15, we had our final drift and berley
session on the 300 fathom line at 38°49.71E, 141°54.06S. Headed back in
at about 14.00. As we were approaching Lawrence Rocks, we saw some
whales spouting to the east and spent an hour watching the Blue Whales.
Had a quick look at Lawrence Rocks before returning and docking at 16.45.
*Conditions:* Despite predictions of conditions that were at the upper
end of acceptability for boat trips from Portland, there was an initial
10 knot S wind, which stayed pretty constant all day. It was a bit rough
going into the 1-2 m swell with a sea of nearly 1 m on top. It was very
overcast during the first part of the day with 95% cloud cover. We had a
few sunny breaks but it was quite cloudy again as we returned (with
75%). Sea conditions stayed pretty much the same all day but it was much
easier going in with the swell. Good diversity with 24 species of
seabird recorded during the trip. Rarity-wise, the highlight was a
Soft-plumaged Petrel, which turned up early at the first stop and gave
us good views. The other bird highlight was the 2 Long-tailed Jaegers,
which also came in very close. The Blue Whales were a major bonus.
*Mammals:*
BLUE WHALE: a mother and calf and a least one other east of Lawrence Rocks.
Common Dolphin: lots inshore, particularly around the whales.
Australian Fur Seal: a few seen on the way out and the normal numbers
loafing at Lawrence Rocks.
*Birds:*
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel: 10 (2). All pelagic.
White-faced Storm-Petrel: 20 (6). Most pelagic, with a few travelling in
and out.
Wandering Albatross: 2. Both Satge 4 or 5, pelagic.
Black-browed Albatross /melanophrys/: 10 (3). Mostly adults, though 2-3
immature birds seen.
/impavida/: 4 (3) All pelagic and adult.
Shy Albatross /cauta/: 30 (5).
/salvini/: 1. Pelagic at Stop 1.
Yellow-nosed Albatross: 30 (5).
Fairy Prion: 1. Pelagic at Stop 1.
White-chinned Petrel: 5 (3). All pelagic.
Flesh-footed Shearwater: 20 (5). All pelagic.
Sooty Shearwater: 2. Both pelagic.
Short-tailed Shearwater: 100. Mostly travelling in and out.
Fluttering Shearwater: 30. All over inshore waters.
SOFT-PLUMAGED PETREL: 1. Pelagic at Stop 1.
Great-winged Petrel: 50 (12). Mostly /gouldi/, but some /macroptera/.
All pelagic.
Little Penguin: at least one heard at the Blue Whale spot.
Australasian Gannet: Several 1000. Most were on or near Lawrence Rocks
and point Danger but a few offshore.
Black-faced Cormorant: 30 inshore, mostly on Lawrence Rocks.
LONG-TAILED JAEGER: 2 at the second stop.
Arctic Jaeger: 1 near Lawrence Rocks in the am.
Crested Tern: 30. Mostly inshore on or near Lawrence Rocks, but 4 pelagic.
Pacific Gull: 2 near the harbour.
Kelp Gull: 6 at Lawrence Rocks.
Silver Gull: 10 inshore in the am and a similar number in the pm.
Sooty Oystercatcher: A pair on Lawrence Rocks.
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