Abrolhos Islands Trip Report
Those who took part included Barbara Harvey, Malea kneen, Peter
Milburn, Mike McLeash, Neil Macumber, Kim Lim, Brett Jarrett, Chris
Brandis and Tony Palliser
This report briefly details the outcome of a trip to the Abrolhos
Islands near Geraldton off the coast of Western Australia from the
2nd to the 4th April 1996 aboard the 'Jodi Anne II'. Conditions
throughout were calm and fine with light winds predominantly from
the SW. This was particularly fortunate as conditions prior to
and immediately after our charter were reported to be a lot more
uncomfortable.
Day One 2nd of April
After an early 3.00am departure we awoke at dawn still to the east
of the Abrolhos to the sight of small numbers of Wedge-tailed (both
light and dark phase) streaked, flesh-footed and hutton's
shearwater's plus a few Bridled Terns resting on crayfish buoys.
Pete pointing out that they always prefer the middle of the three
buoys. By mid morning we had passed between two low lying Islands
obtaining our first views of Roseate Tern and rather poor views of
what was considered to be a Little Shearwater and were over the
shelf approximately 80nm from the main land. This is where we saw
vast numbers of Lesser Noddy and more shearwaters in feeding flocks.
The rest of the day was spent heading North along the shelf
observing more noddies, shearwaters and a lone Wilson?s Storm
Petrel prior to heading for the Northern section of the Abrolhos
group and into the calm waters of Long Island. That evening we just
had enough light remaining for an onshore visit to photograph
Roseate Tern and waders. A few surprising species were encountered
such as Brush Bronzewing and Spotless Crake.
Day Two 3rd April
On to our next Island East Wallaby. This Island proved to be of
considerable interest not only for birds but for mammals, fish and
reptiles too. Malea managed to locate and thankfully relocate one
of the endemic reptiles Erergnia stoksii. In addition we saw a
colony of Tamar Wallaby and a few more unexpected birds such as
Painted Button Quail and Scrub Wren. At least 4 button quail were
seen and were noted to be quite approachable as they made their
peculiar platelets. Once again photographic opportunities were
excellent. After a most luxurious lunch of Lobster and Coral Trout
we headed off to the main breeding Island for Lesser Noddy, Wooded
Island. On route we passed a large feeding flock of shearwaters
and were somewhat stunned to see so many Streaked Shearwaters. We
counted at least 15 individuals along with a few Hutton?s and lots
of dark phase Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. Having spent so much time
watching the shearwaters left us with only a short late afternoon
foray on Wooded Island before once again anchoring in sheltered
waters. Ocean life here was prolific with even squid and octopus
swimming around the back of the yacht that evening. The sunset
was certainly one of the best I had ever seen.
Day Three 4th April
Two hours were spent on Wooded Island photographing tame Lesser
Noddies along the shoreline as well as the many Roseate, Bridled
and Fairy Tern. This Island could only be described as magnificent.
Even the Spotless Crake were tame, 12 birds were counted in one spot
amongst the mangroves. The noddies had finished nesting with the
mangroves now only being used as a night time roost. Barbara and
Neil managed to squeeze in a spot of snorkelling before we set sail
to Leo Island. Leo again proved to be a great place for photography
with lots more opportunities to photograph the terns, Pacific Gull
and waders. Michael even managed to locate a fresh specimen of a
Little Shearwater. That afternoon we headed back towards Geraldton
once again observing even more Streaked and Hutton?s Shearwaters
particularly closer inshore with up to 8 more streaked and 60-70
Hutton?s within 10nm of the mainland.
A great trip and our sincere thanks to the captain Ron Ketcher and
crew of the Jodi Anne who made our trip such a pleasurable experience.
Anyone requiring a more detailed account of our observations may
obtain this by emailing me at Hourly counts
were made over much of the area covered while at sea.
Species Recorded:
Grey Teal
Streaded Shearwater
Wedge-tailed Shearwater
Flesh-footed Shearwater
Little Shearwater...two specimens and two possible live sightings
Hutton?s Shearwater
Yellow-nosed Albatross...one dead specimen
Wilson?s Storm Petrel
Brown Booby
Little Pied Cormorant
Pied Cormorant
Eastern Reef Egret
White-faced Heron
Osprey
White-breasted Sea Eagle
Spotless Crake
Painted Button Quail
Bar-tailed Godwit
Whimbrel
Common Greenshank
Grey-tailed Tattler
Ruddy Turnstone
Great Knot
Red Knot
Sanderling
Red-necked Stint
Pied Oystercatcher
Sooty Oystercatcher
Black-winged Stilt
Grey Plover
Red-capped Plover
Large Sand Plover
Pomarine Skua
Pacific Gull
Silver Gull
Crested Tern
Roseate Tern
Fairy Tern
Bridled Tern
Sooty Tern
Common Noddy
Lesser Noddy
Brush Bronzewing
White-browed Scrubwren
Welcome Swallow
Silvereye
Regards
Tony Palliser (Sydney, Australia)
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Phone +61 2 9900 1678 or +61 2 4277563
Fax +61 2 9900 1669
Email or
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
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