Eden (NSW) Pelagic Report. August 31, 2003

[Barbara Jones <>]

Eden (NSW) Pelagic Report, August 31, 2003

Water temp: 17 Deg.  Air temp: 15 Deg.

After leaving the pontoon at 08.00 with former owner/operator John Henry at the helm, and the boat's new motor and prop increasing performance, we headed almost due East towards the shelf. After the previous days wild weather we were all glad that the conditions had changed in our favour and the forecast, though not great, looked good, winds 15-20 rising 25-30 later in the day ahead of an approaching front with rain and hail.

 

Birds were constant but in low number for most of the trip out, Albatross, mainly Shy, a few Fluttering Shearwaters White-fronted Terns and Great Skuas. Our first stop just across the shelf in 140 fathoms saw much of the same in greater numbers with the addition of a small group of Fairy Prions and a Providence Petrel. After steaming North for another couple of miles we stopped to burley again and added Cape Petrel, a distant White-headed Petrel and more Providence Petrel. A couple more stops failed to add anything new and we returned to the pontoon at 16.00, just before the rain!

On board were: Eric Andrew, David Webb, Mike Crowley, Ross Fackerell, Bob Way, John Duranti, Bruce Cox, Colin Scouler, Bruce Wedderburn, Erik Meijaard and Paul Taylor. Skipper John Henry and decky Brett.

(Species recorded (maximum seen at one time in brackets)
929 Southern Giant Petrel 1 (1)
984 Cape Petrel 2 (2)
077 White-headed Petrel 1 (1)
971 Providence Petrel 5 (3)
083 Fairy Prion 6 (5)
068 Fluttering Shearwater 14 (8)
086 Wandering Albatross 1 (1)
088 Black-browed Albatross 2 (1)
091 Shy Albatross 70 (40)
864 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 3 (2)
104 Australasian Gannet 20 (6)
100 Little Pied Cormorant 1 (1)
098 Black-faced Cormorant 3 (2)
096 Great Cormorant 25 (19)
106 Australian Pelican 35 (30)
226 White-bellied Sea-Eagle 1 (1)
980 Great Skua 7 (2)
126 Pacific Gull 3 (2)
125 Silver Gull present
112 Caspian Tern 1 (1)

228 Whistling Kite 1 (1)
203 Black Swan 5 (5)

Plus 9 Common Dolphins and 5 Australian Fur Seals

Next scheduled trip from Eden is Sunday November 30, 2003. An extra trip on Saturday October 25, 2003 may have a few vacancies.  Bookings and enquiries to sender, as above, or phone me on 02 6495 7390.
These trips are non profit trips organised for the dedicated bird watcher by Far South Coast Birdwatchers, PO Box 180 Pambula, NSW 2549
Barbara Jones