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A few hours was spared for a brief seawatch with Rod Gardner
early in the morning at Magic Pt, Maroubra. Unfortunately, the winds changed
directions and were from the west. Despite this atleast 50
Black-browed, 3 Yellow-nosed and 1 immature
Shy Albatross (the later came in the closest approximately within 50
metres and giving good views - not so Shy after all), 15 Giant Petrels
(with atleast 2 Southern and 1 Northern identified
close to shore), atleast 100 Fluttering Shearwaters and an
Antarctic Skua in the distance. Fairy Penguins were heard and a
few Humpback whales were seen, including atleast 2 within a kilometre off shore
and spotted while walking back along Maroubra beach. Rod also found another
Prion carcass on the beach.
There were also more Albatrosses further out in the distance
which could not be identified. What grabbed mine and Rod's attention though
was one juv. Black-browed that lacked the usual grey collar typical of
Black-browed at this stage of plumage but had a grey bill and very dark
underwings. Could this be another race? Also it was interesting seeing a Silver
Gull harass a Black-browed Albatross as if it were a Skua.
Edwin
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