SYDNEY, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 8th August 1997
Trip Summary:
Another memorable pelagic with conditions fairly cold and windy. A plentiful
supply of Wandering Albatross was the highlight for many, the first seen this
year from a Sydney Pelagic. Other Highlights included 5-6 very confiding
White-headed Petrel and a splendid display from a large pod of Common Dolphin.
Frustrating views were obtained of two birds thought to be White-tailed
Tropicbird, these birds were so high up that it was difficult to get views of
any features, however the narrow winged jizz and the fact that several
observers claimed to see the tail streamers would rule out Red-tailed
Tropicbird. Full marks to Steve who miraculously spotted these birds.
The Wandering Albatross appeared for the most part to be adult gibsoni
although several birds (3-4) were potentially antipodensis with descriptions
fitting adult female, plus at least one very large chionoptera. (Photographs
were taken of all these birds for future analysis).
Conditions:
Fine and cold
Water temperature 19.0C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 7.15 am and returned at 3.00 pm.
South / Southwest winds variable to 25 Knots easing as the day progressed
Reached 24.2 Nautical Miles SE of Sydney Heads.
Those on Board:
Steve Anyon-Smith, Peter Backman, Keith Brandwood, Gary Cottle, Irene Denton,
Penny Drake-Brockman, Rod Gardner, Lesley Gosling, Nick Hodges, Sheryl Keates
Woody Kuehn, Sandra Maciejewski, Roger McGovern, Bill McLean, Dot Machin, Ted
Nickson, Tony Palliser, David Siems, Andrew Stafford, Ross Tzannes, Mrs
Tzannes and Bob Way.
BIRD LIST
Numbers in brackets = Highest Count at any one time.
Wandering Albatross 12-15 (5) (See notes above)
Black-browed Albatross 8 (2) (2 Adult, 4 Imm)
Yellow-nosed Albatross 10-15 (2)
Shy Albatross 1 (Adult)
Providence Petrel 20+ (5)
White-headed Petrel 10+ (2)
Fairy Prion 10-15 (2)
Cape Petrel 6+ (2)
Fluttering Shearwater 15-20 (4)
Hutton's Shearwater 1-2 (1)
White-faced Storm Petrel 5 (4)
Australasian Gannet 6 (2)
Skua Sp 1 (one very distant)
White-tailed Tropicbird 2 (2) (not positively identified)
Silver Gull 15+ Most In the harbour
Crested Tern 15+ Most in the harbour
White-fronted Tern 6 (5)
Kelp Gull (2) Possible in the harbour
Little-pied Cormorant 2 In the harbour
Australian Darter 1 In the harbour
MAMMAL LIST
Common Dolphin 12+
The next trips planned are from Wollongong on Sunday 24th August 1997
and from Sydney on Saturday 13th September 1997. Places are still available.
To make a booking or find out more contact 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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