Bird sightings 30 January-1st
March 2003
Erect-crested Penguin Eudyptes
sclateri A single adult close to moulting on edge of the middle Royal
Penguin colony, Windsor Bay on 4/2. Also present on 10/2
(MS)
Southern Royal Albatross
Diomedea epomophora epomophora Single bird just north of Hurd Point
on the 31/1 with large numbers of other seabirds (MS).
Shy Albatross Diomedia cauta
cauta/steadi Small numbers (ones and twos) seen regularly during the past
month, with a high count of eight on 13/2 off North Head during a one-hour
seawatch (RHC).
Buller’s Albatross Diomedia
bulleri One seen well off North Head on the 17/2. A further two birds seen
off Hurd Point on 25/2. There are very few records of this species from MI
(RHC).
Cape Petrel Daption capense
Few records at this time of year. Five plus just north of Hurd Point on the
31/1 (MS), and two in the same area on 26/2 (RHC). Single birds off North Head
occasionally throughout the month (RHC). Two birds also successfully fledged
from North Head during the month (John Lynn).
Grey Petrel Procellaria
cinerea One bird see out to sea on the 9/2. This is the first sighting for
Macquarie Island since October 2002. Subsequently single birds seen every
other day off North Head (RHC) and 2 to 3 seen flying about Catch-Me-Cave area
at midnight on the 15/2 (MS).
White-chinned Petrel Procellaria
aequinoctialis A high count of nine all heading north off the Hamshack on
10/2. These were the only birds seen during the month (RHC).
Mottled Petrel Pterodroma
inexpectata Ones and two’s seen passing various headlands throughout the
month (RHC).
Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma
macroptera One on 14/2, one on 19/2 and 3 on 21/2 all off North Head. All
birds were dark-faced suggesting they were of the nominate race
(RHC).
Soft-plumaged Petrel Pterodroma
mollis Occasional birds seen out at sea (RHC).
Wilson’s Storm-petrel Oceanites
oceanicus Ten plus just north
of Hurd Point on 31/1 with large numbers of other seabirds (MS). One bird off
Tottan Head on the 13/2 and up to five off Hurd Point on 25/2
(RHC).
Grey-backed Storm-petrel Garrodia nereis Two 500 m off South-west Pt on 4/2 and a further 4
off Green Pt on the same day (MS). Two foraging just beyond breaking swell off
South-west Pt on 10/2.
Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus
tenuirostris Large numbers seen on several days. All birds were heading
south. During one-hour observation periods the following were seen: 60 on 1/2,
80 on the 2/2, 680 and 925 on the 3/2, 68 on 14/2, 144 on 19/2 and 3764 on
20/2. Smaller numbers were recorded on several other days
(RHC).
Diving Petrel spp. Pelecanoides
spp. One on the 13/2 and another on 20/2 off North Head (RHC). Two just
north of Hurd Point amongst many other seabirds on 31/1
(MS).
Pacific Golden Plover Pluvialis
fulva A single bird flushed from the edge of a pool on the Featherbed
behind Handspike Pt 18/2 (MS). A new record for
MI?
White-throated Needletail
Hirundapus caudacutus Continued sporadic records of one to two
individuals. Mostly around North Head, but also on the east coast as far south
as Red River (RHC, MS and others). Last bird was seen over Doctor’s Track on
28/2 (RHC).
MS
= Martin Schultz, RHC = Rohan Clarke
