Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 9th October 1999
Conditions,
Departed at 7.15 am and returned at approx. 3.30 pm.
Sea Conditions: Smooth and calm.
Weather: Warm and overcast.
Wind: Very light from the NE
Water temperature 17.9 to 19.4 degrees C.
Stopped at 34 02' x 151 30'
Those on board,
Ken Oulman, John Rayner, Mike Passant, Vince Kinsler, Ian Lewis, Rod
Gardner, Alan Shlosberg, Ken Macleay, Carol Macleay, Garry George,
Joseph Brooks, Claus Neilsen, T.Wilson, J.Wilson, Tab Shimba, Andrew
Stafford, David James, Nick Hodges, Bob Berry, Gail Berry, Steve Anyon-
Smith, Sally Horne, Jeremy Horne, Hazel, Alan and Simon Wright, Tony
Palliser, Peter Mosser, Paul Meyer, Martin Havlicek and Arron Davies
Summary,
A rather quiet trip and certainly less species than one would have expected
for this time of year, with both numbers and variety well down. Highlights
as usual were the albatross particularly the variety of plumages of the
'wandering' types present. One of the predominently brown-plumaged
'antipodean wandering' type birds had a distinct dark-cutting edge to the
bill visible at close range and looking very similar to the bird seen off
Wollongong last week. Could this have been an Amsterdam Island bird? This
sighting certainly raises a few questions about the identity of Amsterdam
Albatross. Could it be that some 'antipodean' birds can have dark cutting
edges to the bill too? Could the Amsterdam island birds be just be a
another population of antipodean? How important are the measurements? Do
the underwings really differ? I suspect this will be a matter of expert
opinion. Consequently our intention is to gather as much detail as
possible in the way of photographs and biometrics and seek such expert
opinion from the French who have worked on Amsterdam Island and our New
Zealand neighbours who are more familiar with the Antipodean birds.
Also of interest was the excellent views of a Sperm Whale as it passed the
bow. This animal must now be the most photographed Sperm whale on the
planet! Good numbers of Wilson's Storm Petrel also delighted the many
overseas visitors on board.
Birds,
(Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)
005 Little Penguin 2 (2 in harbour)
086 Wandering Albatross 15-20
-----847 gibsoni 10+ (4)
-----846 antipodensis 2 (2)
----- amsterdamensis? perhaps 1?
----- others 5+
088 Black-browed Albatross 10+ (5)
-----088 melanophrys type 5+
-----859 impavida 2 (1)
073 Great-winged Petrel 12-15 (3)
971 Providence Petrel 10-12+ (2)
984 Cape Petrel 25-30 (18)
063 Wilson's Storm Petrel 25+ (14)
068 Fluttering Shearwater 200+
913 Hutton's Shearwater 30+ (part of mixed flock)
071 Short-tailed Shearwater 34 (small migrating parties)
069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater 400+
125 Silver Gull 20+ mostly in the harbour
115 Crested Tern 10+ (7)
128 Arctic Skua 1
Mammals,
Sperm Whale 4
Common Dolphin 10-15
Future Trips,
All Pelagic Trips from NSW are operated at no profit to the organisers
being operated as group boat charters for the benefit of all who wish
to join us.
Sydney Pelagics depart on the 2nd Saturday of each month with the next
trip scheduled for the 16th October 1999. Wollongong Pelagics depart
on the 4th Sunday of each month, although there will be a change to the
4th Saturday of each month throughout 2000. Eden Pelagics will
continue to be the 3rd Sunday of each month. If you would like to join
one of these trips please contact either Tony Palliser or Pete Milburn
to make a booking.
Tony Palliser Ph; 02-99001678 (w), 02-94115272 (h)
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
Pete Milburn: Mobile 0416-249 506, 02-6255 1313 Home or 02-62494326
Work.
Eden Pelagics are run on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Bookings to
<> Barbara Jones or Ph (02) 6495 7390.
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