WOLLONGONG, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 23rd March 1997
Trip Summary:
March is traditionally a strange month and this trip was no exception.
Despite having a plentiful supply of the best burly on board we were
having considerable difficulty getting birds to follow the boat. This
was because the Shearwaters had had their fill and were resting behind
the trawlers that were working the shelf. There were fewer species than
usual and we experienced several hours with very few birds. However the
day did not pass with out the usual supply of rarities. The best bird
by far being a SOUTH POLAR SKUA which came in very close for excellent
views, albeit a little brief. This is an exceptionally rare bird for
Australia and consequently was a major tick for many on board. It was
even an Aussie tick for Pete Milburn.
Conditions:
Fine and warm.
Water temperature 23.9C - 24.3C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 7.00 am and returned at 4.30 pm.
0.5 metre swell.
Calm in the morning - Winds to 15 knots from the North in the afternoon.
Reached approximately 30 Nautical Miles E of Wollongong.
Those on Board:
Steve Anyon-Smith, Peter Eerdmans, Chris Brandis, Rohan Clarke,
Mr and Mrs Field, Pete Milburn, Bill McLean, Paul Taylor, John Leonard,
Meagan McKenzie, David Siems, Tony Palliser, Peter Prince,
Michael Samaraf and Bob Way.
BIRD LIST
Great-winged Petrel (10-20)
Flesh-footed Shearwater (20-30)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater (500+)
Short-tailed Shearwater (3)
STREAKED SHEARWATER (2)
Fluttering Shearwater (20-25)
Hutton's Shearwater (2)
Wilson's Storm Petrel (1)
Australasian Gannet (4) (2 juv)(2 adult)
Pomarine Jaeger (25+) Many in adult breeding plumage
Arctic Jaeger (3) 2 in adult breeding plumage
Long-tailed Jaeger (2-3)
Great Skua (1) age uncertain?
SOUTH POLAR SKUA (1) A dark plumaged Light phase Adult
Silver Gull (35+) Close to harbour
Kelp Gull (11) Mostly around Toothbrush Island
Crested Tern (3)
Plus an unidentified medium sized shearwater with very white
axillaries that may have been a Manx Shearwater??
MAMMAL LIST
Striped Dolphin (10-15)
Common Dolphin (10+)
Bottle-nosed Dolphin (10+)
The next trips planned are from Sydney on Saturday 12th April 1997 and
from Wollongong on Sunday 27th April 1997. Places are still available.
To make a booking or find out more contact either:
(Milburn)
(Tony Palliser)
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
|
