SYDNEY, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 18th January 1997
Trip Summary:
The year is off to a fine start, heading straight out to the shelf at
full speed and then slowing the boat down as usual once again did the
trick. We stopped the boat at several spots well over the shelf for
an hour or so at each, to form an oil slick from the sharks liver,
pilchards and squid that we had on board. The results were most
rewarding, with a fine list of rarities and plenty of storm petrels.
A calm day with everyone getting off the boat smiling and ready to go
again. The bird of the trip however remains unidentified despite good
views, with much debate as to what it could have been, general
consensus is that it was probably an unfamiliar race of Audubon's or
perhaps Little shearwater. To add to the events of the day we
managed to get good views of an "Oceanic White-tipped Shark" and even
caught a large Yellow-finned Tuna (thanks to Steve Annyon-Smith) which
was promptly dissected for later consumption. Pete also managed to
obtain a brief view of a Tiger Shark.
Conditions:
Fine and calm
Water temperature 22.3C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 7.00 am and returned at 4.00 pm.
0.5 metre swell.
5 knot changeable winds predominantly from the East.
Reached 31.4 Nautical Miles E of Sydney Heads.
Those on Board:
Steve Annyon-Smith, Keith Brandwood, Mike Carter, Joe Cooper,
Penny Drake-Brockman, Woody Kuehn, Alan McBride, Roger McGovern,
Chris McGuigen, Bill McLean, Pete Milburn, Ted Nickson, Tony Palliser,
Cilla Quested, John Reidy, Greville Reidy, Margaret Reidy,
David Mozurkewich, David Siems, Bill Watson and Richard Yank.
BIRD LIST
Little Penguin (2) In the harbour
Great-winged Petrel (75-100+) Many in heavy moult
GOULD'S PETREL (6-8)
Cookalaria (4-6) unidentified
BLACK-WINGED PETREL (2-4)
TAHITI PETREL (1)
Flesh-footed Shearwater (50+)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (100-200)
Sooty Shearwater (1)
Short-tailed Shearwater (8-10)
BULLER'S SHEARWATER (1)
Fluttering Shearwater (5+)
Hutton's Shearwater (10-15)
AUDUBON'S / LITTLE SHEARWATER? (1)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel (8)
White-faced Storm Petrel (11)
Australasian Gannet (1)
Pomarine Jaeger (20-30)
Arctic Jaeger (5)
Long-tailed Jaeger (1)
Silver Gull (30+) Most In the harbour
Crested Tern (20+) Most In the harbour
GREY TERNLET (2)
MAMMAL LIST
Common Dolphin (6+)
The next trips planned are from Wollongong on Sunday 26th January 1997
and from Sydney on Saturday 8th February 1997. Places are still a
vailable. To make a booking or find out more contact either:
or or take a look at the
web site.
Trips are always on the 2nd Saturday of each month from Sydney and
always the 4th Sunday of each month from Wollongong.
Regards
Tony Palliser (.....Sydney, Australia)
Phone.....+61 2 9900 1678 or Home +61 2 9427 7563
Fax.......+61 2 9900 1669
http......www.zip.com.au/~palliser
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