Kimberley Birdwatching's Ashmore Expedition 20-27 October 2012 Summary
By Mike Carter, Rohan Clarke & George Swann (3 November 2012)
Trip Details.
In 2012, the annual Kimberley Birdwatching's (KBW) eight-day
Broome-Ashmore-Lacepedes-Broome expedition ran from 20-27 October. Logistics
and permits were organised by George Swann of KBW. Personnel were Jim Allen,
David Bullock, Chris Evans, Lizzie Fabregues, David Hair, John Lillywhite, Fran
Standing, Jim Standing, Pam Smith, Mark Swann, Paul Taylor, Allan Volger, John
Weigel, Rohan Clarke, George Swann & Mike Carter. Our boat was the
air-conditioned 21 m MV Flying Fish V skippered by George Greaves. Jacqui fed
and nurtured us and Maurice O'Connor assisted in numerous ways.
We sailed from the beach near Gantheaume Point in Broome on 20
October (Day 1) at 08.00 and spent the next two days and nights travelling at
sea. We maintained a NW course throughout Day 1 but at night changed our
heading to NNE. By dawn on Day 2 we were in waters reaching depths of 400 m or
greater and cruised along the continental slope throughout the morning
venturing into almost 1,000 m deep water by dusk, passing just to the west of
Scott Reef after dark. We awoke on Day 3 sailing northerly in water with a
depth of 780 m and continued in that general direction until ~10.00 when we
turned to the east heading directly to Ashmore Reef. At ~12.00, after passing
the Australian Customs Vessel 'Ashmore Guardian' with it's complement of
federal government (DSEWPaC) wardens moored at the entrance, we entered the
lagoon and berthed.
For the next three nights (Days 3, 4 & 5), we were secure at the inner
mooring just off West Island. Most members of the party went ashore on West
Island at dawn each day and on two afternoons, ferried there by three dinghies.
These were also used to transport us to Middle Island, where we did not land,
an adjacent sand bar, and next day to East Island where we were able to land.
Neap tides were a benefit in enabling access to all islands but were
disadvantageous in that shorebirds did not concentrate at high-tide roosts and
that we had to wade to the shore of East Island.
After a last visit ashore on West Island, we released our mooring at
Ashmore at 09.00 on Day 6 (21 October) and sailed throughout the day on a SSW
heading through waters of depths between 500-750 m. By dawn on Day 7, we were
already over the shelf break on a direct course due south for the Lacepedes and
were over shelf waters of mostly 50-60 m deep that day. We anchored off West
Island, Lacepedes at 17.05. Next morning, Day 8 (23 October), we were ashore on
West Island, Lacepedes, from 04.30 to 08.30. Back aboard and tenders stowed, we
sailed for Broome, berthing at the wharf there at 17.00.
Weather was mostly hot and humid with cloudless skies and therefore
constant sunshine although it was hazy on the last two days and a brief
downpour was experienced on our last night at Ashmore. Light winds and slight
seas prevailed for most of the trip except on Day 1 when some found the
conditions uncomfortable.
Observations will be posted in Report Part 2.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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