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Wollongong NSW Pelagic Trip Report - March 25, 2000

To: "Tony Palliser" <>, "Peter Milburn" <>, "birding-aus" <>
Subject: Wollongong NSW Pelagic Trip Report - March 25, 2000
From: "Roger McGovern" <>
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000 17:53:00 +1000
Conditions
 
Departed at 07.20 and returned at 15.40.
Sea conditions somewhat lumpy with a 2-3 metre swell and a 1-2 metre sea.
Weather sunny with some cloud and a moderate southerly wind.
Water temperature around 21 degrees C.
 
Those on board
 
Bob Butler
Rod Gardner
David Hair
David Heath (Portland, Oregon)
Laurie Jones (Mildura)
Roger McGovern
Marilyn and Ken Rix (Wentworth)
Bill Sleight
 
Summary
 
A very pleasant and interesting day for all on board with a very odd mixture of unusual southern ocean and tropical sightings. We could only assume that the strong southerlies of the past few days were responsible for the former, and that the high water temperature was responsible for the latter.
In terms of cold ocean species, when was the last time, if ever, that three albatross species were recorded on a March pelagic? The counterpoint to these were the magnificent sightings of two White Terns and two Grey Ternlets with excellent close views enjoyed by all. Large numbers of Hutton's Shearwaters were unusual for March, and good manoevering of the Sandra K by Carl gave terrific close views of a Buller's Shearwater just before getting back to the harbour.
Also of great note was a pod of 200-300 Long-snouted Spinner Dolphins jumping clear all around the boat, a species which has a normal southern range limit around the NSW/Queensland border.
 
Birds
(Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)
 
Wandering Albatross (gibsoni)   1 (1)
Shy Albatross (cauta)               2 (1)
Yellow-nosed Albatross             1 (1)
Great-winged Petrel                  6 (3)
Providence Petrel                     4 (1)
Wilson's Storm Petrel               7 (3)
Fluttering Shearwater              40 (5)
Hutton's Shearwater                70 (8)
Short-tailed Shearwater           10 (3)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater       200 (60)
Flesh-footed Shearwater          40 (10)
BULLER'S SHEARWATER        1 (1)
Australasian Gannet                14 (2)
Arctic Skua                              4 (1)
Pomarine Skua                       25 (9)
Kelp Gull                                  6 (2)
Silver Gull                              150 (70)
Crested Tern                             1 (1)
WHITE TERN                            2 (1)
GREY TERNLET                       2 (1)
Australian Pelican                     2 (2)        harbour
Great Cormorant                       1 (1)        harbour
Little Pied Cormorant                 1 (1)        harbour
 
 
Mammals
 
Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin         200-300
Common Dolphin                            20
 
Regards
Roger McGovern
 
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