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This afternoon, I droped in
t Long Reef for an hour or so and
was lucky to spot a white-phase Southern Giant Petrel
feeding behind a small fishing boat. It was amongst several other
brown juvenile Giant Petrels. Being just about all white apart from a few black
specklings in its plumage, it was a complete contrast to the other birds. This
white petrel was also seen in flight weaving around the waves close to shore. At
one time up to 10 Giant Petrels were seen behind this boat. Also 2
Antarctic Skuas were seen circling about this same boat aswell as
a juvenile Kelp Gull.
Conditions were very calm with only light winds from the west
but several Fluttering Shearwaters were flying just behind the
wave break and about 50 Black-browed Albatross feeding on dead
cuttlefish within 2 kilometres or so from the reef.
On the reef itself, were about 10-15
Double-banded Plovers (some in their splendour breeding dress),
22 Red-necked Stints, 3 Grey-tailed Tattlers,
4 Sooty Oystercatchers and a White-fonted
Tern. A pair of Kestrels were seen going about their business on the
cliff face.
Edwin
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