WOLLONGONG, NSW PELAGIC TRIP REPORT 26th October 1997
Trip Summary:
A pleasant day with calm seas and fine conditions. Large mixed flocks of
shearwaters inshore and large numbers of Great-winged Petrel and Wilson's
storm petrel over the shelf. Highlights for most were the Black-bellied
Storm
Petrel and the very confiding Wandering Albatross. Once again it was thought
that several races of Wandering Albatross were present most were thought to
be
gibsoni due to size and extent of black on the upperwing. Several small
birds
were thought to be antipodensis in the field and this was confirmed when one
of the birds was captured measured and then released after being ringed. Two
larger birds (one with extensive amount of white on the upperwing) were
thought to be exulans. Photographs were taken of all the albatross for
future
analysis. Carl produced a most impressive oil slick that attracted Storm
Petrels faster than birders to a lifer. A great day thanks to all on board
particularly Carl (our famous skipper)
Conditions:
Fine and mild
Water temperature 17.2C once beyond the shelf.
Departed at 8.00 am and returned at 5.30 pm.
Predominently North-East winds to 15 Knots
Reached 28.0 Nautical Miles East of Wollongong.
Those on Board:
Graham Barwell, Mr Blackwell, Chris Brandis, Mr Gellespie, Mark Gionet,
Audrey
Graham, David Graham, Ron Insidis, Patricia Kennedy, Pete Milburn Tony
Palliser, Ruel Patterson, Karlheim Poellet, Mr and Mrs Russell, Mike
Smelling,
Dale Stahlecker, Tish Tyson
BIRD LIST
Numbers in brackets = Highest Count at any one time.
Little Penguin 3 (3)
Wandering Albatross
gibsoni 8-10 (6) (mostly stage 4)
exulans 2 (1) (stage 6-7 thought to be this race?)
antipodensis 2 (1)(stage 1-2 (1)captured & identity confirmed)
Black-browed Albatross 4 (2) (all Imm poss.impavida?)
Shy Albatross 1 (adult)
BULWER'S PETREL 1 (distant unconfirmed sighting)
Providence Petrel 20-30 (c.10)
Great-winged Petrel 100+ (c.60)
Cape Petrel 1
Wilson's Storm Petrel 35-45 (32)
BLACK_BELLIED STORM PETREL 2 (1)
Short-tailed Shearwater 1000+ (1000+)
Sooty Shearwater 6 (2)
Flesh-footed Shearwater 1
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 1000+ (700+)
Fluttering Shearwater 100+ (50+)
Hutton's Shearwater 50+ (30+)
Australasian Gannet 20 (6)
Great Skua 1 (C.skua following local taxonomy)
Arctic Jaeger 1
Pomarine Jaeger 1
Long-tailed Jaeger 2 (1)
Silver Gull 100+
Crested Tern 20+
Little-pied Cormorant 2 In the harbour
Great Cormorant 2 In the harbour
Pied Cormorant 1 close to shore
Australian Pelican 1 In the harbour
Glossy Ibis 2 12 miles from shore
MAMMAL LIST
A few distant sightings probably Hump-backed Whale
Common Dolphin (10-20)
Trips are always on the 2nd Saturday of each month from Sydney and
the 4th Sunday of each month from Wollongong.
To make a booking or find out more contact or
or take a look at the web site.
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
Regards
Tony Palliser (.....Sydney, Australia)
Phone.....+61 2 9900 1678 or Home +61 2 9427 7563
Fax.......+61 2 9900 1669
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