Dear Ausbirders
pelagic excursions last week from Wollongong aboard the Sandra K yielded
sightings of Soft-plumaged Petrels which are rarely recorded in NSW waters.
On Thursday September 17, 1998 on a SOSSA banding trip, Carl Loves and I
observed a strikingly-patterned, small Pterodroma approaching the boat from
the bow. The bird flew past the beam and across the stern down to about
30m giving mind-crippling views in perfect sunny conditions. The bird was
a freshly moulted Soft-plumaged Petrel. Later in the day a White-chinned
Petrel and a second year Northern Royal Albatross were observed.
The seasonally unusual north-easterly winds were blowing again on Saturday
September 19, 1998 and another Soft-plumaged Petrel was observed at greater
distance and for briefer duration. The views were sufficient to determine
that the breadth of the whitish underwing greater covert bar and pectoral
band were broader than the previous bird.
Dr.Peter Milburn
Biomolecular Resource Facility
The Australian National University
GPO Box 334 Canberra ACT 0200 AUSTRALIA
Phone No. <61> <2> 6249 4326
Fax No. <61> <2> 6249 4326
E-mail Address
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