|
Wollongong June 7th 2000 - Sandra
K Private Game Fishing charter
Observations and banding by Lindsay Smith &
Cpt. Carl Loves.
Left the harbour at 06.40, conditions 15-20 knot S.W. wind
on a 2-3 meter swell, cloud cover 1/5th confined to the horizon.
Birds:
Wandering Albatross 5 including 2 brown
birds one of which was a 1st year bird, from last season.
We managed
to capture 1 Wanderer. D.exulans.
The bird had previously been banded inshore at
Bellambi by members of the NSW Albatross Study Group on July 27th 1980.
Band
number 140-33299. The Gibson Plumage Index had change very little in that
20 year period indicating that it was and adult when first banded. We
still have no idea of it's origins, 20 years on.
Shy Albatross T.cauta were numerous
with 20-30 through out the day, most showing signs of post breeding moult.
Three Shy Albatross were captured and banded by SOSSA
researchers. One of these appeared to have a bent neck holding it's head to the
side in a most unusual manner, when captured it was found to be blind in the
Left eye. The bird otherwise appeared healthy.
Black-browed Albatross T. melanophris
Small numbers throughout out the day , 7 including 2 Immatures together
whilst drifting.
One Adult captured and banded.
Campbell Albatross T. impavida. Not
observed inshore numbers picked up in 70 fathoms, small numbers only 3 observed
at one time.
One Adult caught and banded.
Buller's Albatross 2 birds attended the boat whilst we
were drifting (Good Photo op.) Sooty Albatross P.fusca. 1, The
was first observed at distance before coming to the boat. It did the fly around
at 30-40 meters gave the once over and just kept going.
Giant Petrels: only 4 birds observed during the day
of these 2 were captured and banded both were Northern Giants and appeared to be
cohorts by behaviour and measurements. To which species the other two
belonged remains a mystery.
Great-winged Petrel, ? 1, this was an all dark
bird and appeared to be of the race P.macroptera
Prions: Many birds about, mainly Fairy prions with some
unusual birds amongst them these appeared to be Antarctic Prions.
Storm-petrels: Wilsons Storm-petrels were quite
abundant with up to 6 about the boat at one time.
Grey-backed
Storm-petrel 5 birds in total observed whilst drifting up to 3 at one time
.
Black-
bellied Storm-petrel 1 attended the slick.
Fluttering Shearwaters about in small numbers
inshore.
Huttons Shearwater about in small numbers one
captured and banded (Good opportunity to see the differences in the
hand)
Australasian Gannet several groups of upto 50 birds
mainly inshore sitting on the water.
Kelp Gull mainly inshore up to 10 birds adults and
immatures no banded birds observed.
White-fronted tern 2 birds only observed both
followed the boat for some time.
Crested Terns Small parties of birds throughout the
day up to 15 attended the boat whilst drifting.
NO FISH CAUGHT No sea monsters observed.
Carlos the fisherman "Tell them" I saw the SOOTY ALBATROSS and I don't care
because I didn't catch a fish.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SOSSA
"Wildlife Research" H.Q - Wollongong
Southern Oceans Seabird Study
Association Inc.
P.O. Box 142, Unanderra NSW Australia 2526
Lindsay E.
Smith & Janice G. Jenkin-Smith
Janice G. Jenkin.JP.,CMCA. Civil
Marriage Celebrant
P.O. Box 142, Unanderra NSW Australia 2526
Phone
+61 (02) 4271 6004
Fax +61 (02) 4272 4626
Mobile 0418 603
007
Email:
| 