Subject:
Research Trip off Wollongong on the Sandra "K" Monday 06/10/97
The Boys from Camden were down to try their luck at Game Fishing, hoping to
catch a
"FIN" Yellow fin Tuna. We started out into a southerly change rain showers
and strong
winds 15-20 roughing up the sea to 3 meteres. Went south east and only out
about 20
N/miles on the shelf, conditions eased to 1.5 metres and s.e. winds to 10-15
knots
Water temp 16.1 - 16.4C. This was a combined gamefishing / Banding trip.
Bird List with estimated numbers with notes..
Silver Gull 100+. This species is presently breeding on the
Five
Island Nature Reserve (see Albatross newsletter)
Kelp Gull 4 two adults and two juveniles inshore.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 200+ mostly inshore 45 fathoms
Crested tern 40+ feeding over a very large area/several came
to the
boat.
Australian Gannet 5 mostly adults, 2 sub adults.
Short-tailed Shearwater flocks of 10 to 50 going south for most of the
day
Fluttering Shearwater 100+ foraging with wedge-tailed shearwaters
inshore, 45
fathoms.
Black-browed Albatross Several birds mostly juvenile Campbell Island
albatrosses D.e.impavida. Though at least 2
juviniles
of D.melanophris. One juvinile impavida caught
and
banded by Captain Carl Loves and
L.E.Smith.(SOSSA).
Sooty Shearwater Several birds flying independently and in
small groups
3-5 birds, thought to be this species on
underwing
heavier JIZZ and upturned wing tips when
gliding
between wing beats as the birds moved South
not
stopping to feed at the boat.
Shy Albatross 10 mostly birds of the year with a few
sub-adults.
Grey-headed Albatross 1 Sub-adult three year old? based on plumage,
released
on shelf. This bird thought to be from
Campbell Is.
race. A bird of the year came within 3 metres
of the
boat to feed on chum. The bird appeared small,
when
comared to D.m.impavida. It showed typical
plumage of a
bird of the year underwing resembled D. m.
impavida.
Head and neck dark grey forming distinct hood
with black
bill and extensive white cheeks.
Great-winged Petrel 10 - one white faced adults? and fresh plumage?
darker
faced birds showning little white on faces.
Wandering Albatross 15 - D.e gibsoni mainly, One D.e exulans
Juvenile.
Brown plumage not fresh, possibly a 2nd year
bird.
L.E.Smith.Captured and banded by Capt.Carl
Loves,with
the assistance of Brian who came Game Fishing.
Two
others a Gibson's Albatross and a Wanderer of
unknown
origin were also caught and banded.
Southern Royal Albatross ** a juvenile (bird of the year) attended the
boat during
cubing it was very agressive chasing all but
the
biggest male wanderer away from the stern of
the boat.
Cape Petrel 3-5 In recent weeks both subspecies have been
sighted,
only capense observed today.
Solander's petrel Interesting to note lack of birds only two
possible
birds.
Southern Giant Petrel 2 birds circled the boat a couple of times &
moved off.
Northern Giant Petrel 3 birds attended boat whilst we were chumming
for Tuna.
All birds were Juviniles 1 possibly in it's
2nd year
Brown rather than blackish plumage. Bill tip on
this
bird reddish, and appearing browish in the
other two
birds.
Wilson's Storm petrel Several birds foraged in oil slick (Tuna oil)
with
White-faced Stormpetrels.
Great skua 2 one observed attemting to take a Wegde-tailed
Shearwater out of the air after pursuing it for
a couple
of hundred metres.
Arctic Jaeger A dark phased bird was observed whilst we were
chumming,
It was in breeding plumage and although worn,
still
retained extended central tail feathers and
looked very
"smart"
Long-tailed Jaeger 3 somewhat mottley birds attended the boat
briefly in
company of the above Artic Jaeger.
Mammals
Hump-backed whale One animal observed breifly beyond shelf break.
Comment: An interesting day with a very good bird list including some very
interesting
rarities including Southern Royal and Grey-headed albatrosses. Water temp at
16.1-16.4C
is unusually cold for this time of year. Fishing was poor with only one hook up
of a
possible large Yellow-fin Tuna, which was lost after a 35 minute fight. Unlucky
lads
better luck next time. The fishermen were very interested in our research into
the
occurrence of seabirds off Wollongong. It made for an interesting day, but they
would
have prefered to get amongst the FIN!.
Till next time!
--
SOSSA "Wildlife Research"
Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association Inc
Lindsay E. Smith & Janice G. Jenkin-Smith
P.O. Box 142, Unanderra NSW Australia 2526
Phone +61 (02) 4271 6004
Fax +61 (02) 4272 4626
Mobile 0418 603 007
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