Wollongong, NSW Pelagic Trip Report, SATURDAY 22nd April 2000
Report prepared by P.J. Milburn
Conditions:
Departed at 07:10 am and returned at approx.14:45 pm.
Sea Conditions: Initially, sea 1 to 2 m on a 2 m se swell. Later, sea 2 to
2.5m on a 2 to 4m southerly swell.
Weather: Mostly sunny. Air temperature 15 to 23 °C.
Wind: Southerly 15 kts, rising to 20 kts later
Water temperature: 18.0 to 23.5 degrees C.
Primary chumming location: conditions too rough!
Summary:
Hopes for another summer day at sea looking at some nice tropical species
were dashed by a stiff southerly. A couple of miles out to sea we were
greeted by an exquisite juvenile White-fronted Tern which looked as though
it had just left the nest in NZ. Another individual, a little later,
confirmed that this was not going to be a summer trip. The first of the
Albatross appeared... a stunning adult Campbell Albatross which took my
breath away as it glowed in the early morning sun. It was hard going
punching into the southerly and seasickness was beginning to set in. With
a squadron of Black-browed and Campbell Albatross following and loving the
windy conditions it could have been mid-winter. Leaden clouds building up
in the south didn't look too encouraging.... The water felt incredibly
warm as it ran down my neck reminding me that it was only April. Many of
the the Jeagers were in fine plumage with the onset of breeding only a few
weeks and thousands of kilometres away. Suprising numbers of shearwaters
remained in the area which were joined by Petrels as we slowly worked our
way out into deeper water. Attempts to berley birds to the boat at the 100
FM line were unsuccessfull. Turning for home and running with the sea we
were joined almost immediately by a glorious adult BULLER'S ALBATROSS.
This bird followed the boat for about 30 minutes giving great views. An
adult shy albatross investigated us briefly as we surfed back to Wollongong.
Birds recorded:
Species code: Species name: Numbers:
(Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)
864 Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri 1 adult
091 Shy Albatross T. cauta 1 adult
088 Black-browed Albatross T. melanophrys 2 (2) both adults
859 Campbell Albatross T. impavida 6 (6) 4 adults
931 BULLER'S ALBATROSS Thalassarche bulleri 1 adult
073 Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma macroptera gouldi 12 (6)
971 Solander's Petrel P. solandri 30 (20)
068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus. gavia 4 (1)
913 Hutton's Shearwater P. huttoni 2 (1)
069 Wedge-tailed shearwater P. pacificus 200+ (100+)
070 Sooty Shearwater P. griseus 2 (1)
071 Slender-billed Shearwater P. tenuirostris 10 (4)
072 Flesh-footed Shearwater P. carneipes 100 (60)
104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 3 (1)
981 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 5 (5)
125 Silver Gull L. novaehollandiae 20+ (20+)
128 Arctic Jaeger Stercorarius parasiticus 5 (2)
945 Pomarine Jaeger S. pomarinus 12 (6)
114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 2 (1) juveniles
115 Crested Tern Sterna bergii 10 (3)
20 species of seabird identified outside the breakwater.
In the harbour
096 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2
106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 5
Mammals,
None recorded.
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. Wollongong
Pelagics depart on the 4th Saturday 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.
NOTE: As of January 2000 Wollongong Trips will depart on 4th SATURDAY of
each month.
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 5th Sunday of each month in which this occurs.
Bookings to <> Barbara Jones or Ph (02) 6495 7390.
Note: SOSSA = Southern Oceans Seabird Study Association
Dr.P.J. 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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