Out of area report - Chatham Albatross off Tasmania

[Denis Wilson <>]

Submitted for information, in view of the local Canberra connection

Alan Fletcher, who writes "Birds in Tasmania" blog has an interesting report of a Chatham Albatross out off the Continental Shelf from Eaglehawk Neck.

His report starts: "The pelagic trip, led by Dan Mantle from Canberra....."
http://tassiebirds.blogspot.com/2011/09/chatham-albatross-on-eaglehawk-neck.html

• "The highlight of the day caused a rush to the side of the boat. It was what we call a "lifer", as nobody on board had seen it before and it was Tasmania's first record ! I understand that 2 or 3 have been recorded off the Australian mainland. The bird was a Chatham Albatross (Thalassarche eremita), previously considered a form of Shy Albatross (Thalassarche cauta), commonly seen in Tasmanian waters."

The bird obviously realised the birders needed good photographic proof to establish this claimed sighting, as it came very close to the boat, allowing a stunning photograph to be taken. 
Nice work all around.

Denis Wilson
"The Nature of Robertson"
www.peonyden.blogspot.com