g'Day all
On Sunday afternoon (10/03/2011) with Pat May, Liz Znidersic and Geoff Lodge, we undertook a short trip off shore from St Helens searching for Great
Shearwater. I had seen one last week about 5 Nm off St Helens Point and in light of other reports from all around the country we were all keen to
search for more, hoping perhaps to find a "hot spot" where a few might be hanging around.
We departed at about 13.30 in the "Vulcan", sailing for about 5 Nm south east of St Helens Point. Then turning south west and heading inshore
eventually to circumnavigate Maraude (St Helens) Island then back out to sea again East for about 6 Nm. Then we crisscrossed northwards passing
close to Merricks Reef and St Helens Point and entering the Barway entrance to George Bay just before dark at about 1800 hrs and arriving home in the
dark at about 1900.
Although the afternoon trip commenced in light winds and calm seas, soon the wind was strengthening as a complex low pressure front approached. An
intense low pressure system was forecast and we could see spectacular cloud banks approaching from the south and simultaneously from the west across
the mountain ranges. From about 15.30 hrs, the wind sprung to the south east and was soon exceeding 25 knots and strengthening. This marked the end
of a week of mild and calm weather in NE Tasmania but within the hour, the southeasterly gale was building and the sea state deteriorating quickly.
As the front approached, pelagic bird numbers increased remarkably. From the presence of only a hundred or two Short-tailed Shearwater, a couple of
dozen mixed Albatross Spp and a few Gannets and Gulls, the atmosphere became suddenly alive with thousands of pelagic seabirds. Coming towards us
from the south and first appearing as fast moving specs on the eastern horizon, soaring and then swooping out of nowhere flying rapidly downwind
before the front and soon surrounding us in every direction. I have often heard how seabirds can move before a low pressure front but this was a
sight to see.
From about 16.00 hrs to 17.40 hrs we sighted and photographed 4 separate Great Shearwaters, all solitary and flying rapidly down wind about between
4-6 Nm off shore.
At 1710 hrs, as we approached Merrik Reef about two Nm off shore, a medium/large pale phase petrel swooped low past us and then soared high. Initially
I thought it was another Great Shearwater. Both Liz and I followed it, firing our Canons supported by a brief moment of afternoon sunlight. After
reviewing the out of focus results, and because of its large size (20% greater than Short-tailed Shearwater) my initial leaning was towards Atlantic
Petrel but after sharing the pics for an opinion and comments with experienced colleagues the id was clinched; a pale morph Kermadec Petrel. Liz and
I wish to thank Geoffrey Jones (See http://www.barraimaging.com.au/aboutme.php) and Bill Wakefield for helping to confirm the identity of this bird.
Not long after at about 17.40 hrs, we approached St Helens Point, another Great Shearwater soared past us no more than 300 metres off shore. This one
could have been scoped off land from St Helens Point. What a fantastic afternoon we had and only a few hours at sea. Then the rain started and it
has not stopped since.
Regards
Ian May
St Helens, Tasmania 7216
Mob: 0428337956
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