Portland (Vic.) pelagic, 5 October 1997. Report by Peter S. Lansley (leader).
Departed Portland harbour 0610h, docked 1720 h, local time. Weather fine,
light 10-15 knots southerly most of day. Cloud mostly 2/8 but up to 6/8
early in day. Sea, 1 to 2 metre SW swell. Observers presenton the Michael J:
Peter Lansley, David Stewart (Mullumbimby), Alistair Stewart, Lloyd Nielsen,
Rohan Clark, Elizabeth Lloyd, Tom Smith, Rory O'Brien, Stuart Dashper, Susan
Myers and George Appleby.
Once rounding Pt. Danger we followed the coast to around 2 N Miles off Cape
Nelson, then tracked WSW to reach shelf-break at 38.30'S, 141.16'E, over 250
metres of water at 0830 h. Then steamed to 38.40'S, 141.16'E (340 metres
depth), then moved to 38.43'S, 141.15'E (700 metres depth). From 1145-1310 h
at 38.42'S, 141.13'E over about 700 metres of water. On the way back, a
concentration of Shearwaters, Prions and the Southern Fulmar, was noted at
38.30'S, 141.31'E, and the obligatory look at Lawrence Rocks rounded off our
most successful Portland pelagic this year.
BIRDS Sightings refer to at or beyond shelf break unless stated. Figures in
parentheses are maximum number seen together. Total 25 species at sea plus 2
Sooty Oystercatcher on Lawrence Rocks.
Little Penguin 1 Portland Bay
Southern Giant-Petrel 2 juvs.
SOUTHERN FULMAR 1, ca. 5 NMi SW of C. Nelson.
Cape Petrel 80 (50); at least two of these were subsp. capense, rest australe
Great-winged Petrel subsp. macroptera 15 (10)
Fairy Prion 210 (200), mostly inshore ca. 5 NMi SW of Cape Nelson
[BULWER'S PETREL] 1 probable. A bird matching description and jizz of this
species seen at 200-250 metres range by three observers, one of whom had
seen the species before. It was over 700 metres of water at 38.42'S,
141.13'E, but since it did not approach more closely, is left as unconfirmed
White-chinned Petrel 2
GREY PETREL 1, photographed and videographed in flight and swimming. At
38.43'S, 141.15'E. Believed to be the first bird seen offshore from Victoria
since Sept. 1978. Approached to within 10 metres of boat
Flesh-footed Shearwater 1
Sooty Shearwater at least 3 (2)
Short-tailed Shearwater. ca. 2000, ca. 5 NMi SW of Cape Nelson
Fluttering Shearwater 2 (1) inshore
Hutton's Shearwater 1 inshore
un-id. (Flutton's) Shearwater, Puffinus gavia/hutttoni 2 inshore
Black-browed Albatross, nominate melanophris ca. 20 most juvs./sub-ads., 2
adults. Very low numbers
Black-browed Albatross, subsp. impavida 2 sub-adults
Shy Albatross subspecies cauta ca. 250 (200)
Yellow-nosed Albatross 3 (2); 1 juv., 2 sub-ads
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 5 (3)
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel 50 (40)
White-faced Storm-Petrel 30 (20)
Australasian Gannet ca. 20 beyond shelf-break, ca. 200 nesting on Point
Danger, ca. 8000 Lawrence Rocks
Black-faced Cormorant ca. 140 Lawrence Rocks, including ca. 50 juvs.
Great (Southern) Skua 1 Portland Bay
Pacific Gull 2 adults Lawrence Rocks
Silver Gull 2 Portland Bay, also in harbour
Crested Tern ca. 10 (2) inshore and offshore
Also: Great Cormorant 1 Portland Harbour
MAMMALS
Australian Fur Seal ca. 10.
Next outing: Sunday, 2 November 1997. Bookings: Peter Lansley (03) 9375 4564
ah, 9882 2622 bh.
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