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Hi Birding-aussers, well it finally happened, a day
when our commonest 'summer gadlfy' outnumbered any other species. The full
report below;
Vessel: 53 ft monohull Flying Fish
II.
Crew: 2.
Pax: 18.
Weather Conditions:
A trough over inland Southern Queensland deepening
to a 'Low' brought moderate to gusting warm north westerlies to the region
creating uncomfortable near record heat conditions. Out on the ocean however the
20-25 knot NW wind produced a more cooling effect with temperatures out wide
more likely in the low 30s. Visibility generally good with a slight haze on the
horizon, with little cloud cover. Barometric pressure 1008 hPa.
Sea Conditions:
Moderate seas on 1 metre swell early on, rising to
about 2 metre seas on 1.5 -1.8 metre swell in more exposed position out wide.
Current out wide, 3.5 + knots.
Left the Seaway at 0715 hrs and with several
trawlers arriving anticipated usual large rafts of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters
outside the Seaway. A no show, with just a few Cormorants, Silver Gulls &
Crested Terns present.
Headed slightly north of east out over the Shelf
with just a few Wedge-tailed & Hutton's Shearwaters and a lone Pomarine
Jaeger sighted (what's happened to this species this summer, that's the only one
since last October)!
Shortly after crossing the Shelf-break at 0925 hrs
the first Tahiti Petrel arrived astern followed a few minutes later by three
more, which loosely followed the vessel until we reached the pre-determined
drift point approx. 57 kilometres east of Southport just after 1000 hrs. The
skipper and the deckie then set up an improvised sea anchor to cut down on
the rate of drift in the strong current. This proved most beneficial as the
birds kept much closer to the vessel.
The numbers of Tahiti Petrels were starting to
build up quickly, outstripping the rate of Wedge-taileds coming in with a lone
Flesh-footed Shearwater plus an adult Sooty Tern with a juvenile providing the
only diversity. That is until a Streaked Shearwater appeared, providing stunning
views down to 5 metres for at least 20 minutes. The numbers of Tahiti Petrels
were extraordinary with as many as 40 present around the vessel at any one time,
landing behind the vessel to within 2 metres. It appears the larger chunks of
berley seemed to bring them in the closest.
Just after 1200 hrs it was time to head home
as it was going to be a bit of a slog back into a 25 knot nor'wester and the
vessel being needed for a night charter. The diversity of species wasn't great
anyway, although I think most on board were happy enough with the amazingly
close views of Tahitis & Streaked Shearwater. Little on the way back but
good views of a Black Noddy and a couple of Tahiti Petrels which followed back
& forth across the vessels' wake for at least an hour. Arrived back at the
Seaway at 1500 hrs.
Species:
Tahiti Petrel - 129
Streaked Shearwater - 1
Wedge-tailed Shearwater - 105
Flesh-footed Shearwater -1
Hutton's Shearwater - 3
Pied Cormorant - 2
Little Black Cormorant - 2
Great Cormorant - 2
Pomarine Jaeger - 1
Silver Gull - 62
Crested Tern - 40
Sooty Tern - 2
Black Noddy - 1
Cetaceans:
A pod of about 30 Offshore Bottle-nosed Dolphins
out wide just after turning back.
Fish:
A large (about 10kg) Mahi Mahi hooked but broke
free. Large numbers of Flying Fish present.
The next Southport pelagic is on March 20th, March
being our best autumn month generally. All welcome. Cheers - Paul
W.
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