SYDNEY, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT - 08th June 1996
Those on board: Phil Hansbro, John Reidy, Tony Palliser, Alan McBride,
John Tillett, Keith Brandwood, Ken Booth, Patrick Brehmer, Paul
Wickham, Lyn Raffan, josh Stern, Collin Rogers, Gail Berry, Rob Berry,
Alistair Poole, Ted Shimba, Gerry Duane, Clive Meadows, John Leonard,
Geoff Peters, Andrew Patrick, Chris McGuigan,
Conditions were overcast and raining for most of the morning
(although fine in Sydney). Southerly winds to 15 knots and a swell of
about 2 Metre's for most of the day. We reached approx 21 nautical
miles East of Sydney and then followed the shelf south for 15 miles.
The ocean temperature beyond the shelf was 21.6 C.
Another great trip with some fine rarities. A Black-bellied Storm
Petrel was seen approx 18nm SW of Sydney. Also an assumed Black Petrel
was seen on the shelf, this bird followed us South for several hours,
occasionally approaching the boat very closely. The bill colouration,
particularly the extent of black on the tip would point more towards
the bird being a Westland Petrel. However the wingspan was estimated
by some to be only 10 to 20% longer than that of a Providence Petrel
which would rule out this species in favour of Black Petrel??. As far
as we are aware this is the first time that either of these species
have occurred off the NSW at this time of year. It is hoped that
further research and photographs will assist further in clenching
this rarity.
BIRD LIST
Wandering Albatross 1
Black-browed Albatross 5+
Yellow-nosed Albatross 120+
Shy Albatross 2
Cape Petrel 2
Black Petrel 1 ?? ( Identification still to be confirmed)
Fairy Prion 10+
Great-winged Petrel 15+
Providence Petrel 50+
Black-bellied Storm Petrel 1
Wilson's Storm Petrel 2
Short-tailed Shearwater 10+
Sooty Shearwater 4
Fluttering Shearwater 5+
Little Shearwater? (Poor views of one bird assumed to be this species)
Australasian Gannet 30+
Silver Gull 150+
Crested Tern 5
White-fronted Tern 2
Little Pied Cormorant 1
Great Cormorant 2
The next trips are from Wollongong on Sunday the 23rd of June and from
Sydney on Sunday 14th July. For information on these trips contact
either Tony Palliser or Phil Hansbro.
Regards
Tony Palliser (Sydney, Australia)
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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