Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 20th May 2000

[Tony Palliser <>]

Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 20th May 2000


Conditions,
Departed at 07.15 and returned approx 14.00.
Sea conditions comfortable with a swell less than 1 metre.
Weather sunny with light North West winds.
Water temperature around 18.9 degrees C.

Those on board,
Steve Anyon-Smith, Penny Drake-Brockman, Redge Clark, Johnathon
Denski, Brian Fletcher, Rod Gardner, John Hall, Phil Hansbro, Nick
Hodges, Penny Hunter, Michael Hunter, Keith Laverick, Robert McKay, Bill
McLean, Ted Nixon, Tony Palliser, Trevor Quested, John Reidy, Margaret
Reidy, Greville Reidy and David Siems,  (20)

Summary,
A very quiet trip, with very few birds, as is often the case in May.
Thoughts are that the summer migrants have departed and the majority of
the winter visitors are yet to arrive.  The most unusual sighting
was that of a Long-tailed Jaeger which is very late in the year. The real
highlight for most (thanks as usual to the great spotting by Steve
Anyon-Smith) was the Minke Whale just outside the heads and a huge pod of
Spotted Dolphin numbering in the hundreds. Primary Chumming location
being 151.17 - 33.50.


Birds,
(Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)

Little Penguin 2(1)
Black-browed Albatross 3(1)
Yellow-nosed Albatross 4(1) All in heavy moult
Fluttering Shearwater 10-15(8)
Great-winged Petrel 1
Providence Petrel 15-20(3)
Wilson's Storm Petrel 3 (1)
Australasian Gannet 15+(4)
Silver Gull 10-20 Most around the heads
Crested Tern  15+(3)
Long-tailed Jaeger 1 
Australasian Pelican 5 (in the harbour)
Little Pied Cormorant 1
Great Cormorant 1

Mammals,
Minke Whale 2
Spotted Dolphin 2-300+

Regards
Tony Palliser


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