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A couple of days late as I'm now back in England
after a stunning 20-day tour of Qld/eastern NSW, with 407 spp seen (is this a
good total?), more of which in a later email.
On Wednesday, driven from higher ground by high
winds and rain tried our luck with a seawatch from Bass Point, Shellharbour,
NSW. Potential star of 2.5 hrs was the probable GREY PETREL which shot past
north about 2km offshore. Slightly bigger than the Sooties and predominantly
greyish, with dark underwing contrasting with paler body, shearing flight, a few
other bits and bobs noted, but this is in no way a firm claim!!
The supporting cast was equally
stunning:
3-5 WANDERING ALBATROSSES, one of which passed by
just 400 metres away!! One individual was roughly stage 2 (per Harrison 1983),
the others, including two together stage 4 or thereabouts.
1 BLACK-BROWED ALBATROSS, a young bird in the same
scope view as the two Wanderings!
2000+ Sooty Shearwaters, mostly streaming
south
300+ Fluttering Shearwaters, lest organised in
their direction
6+ Hutton's Shearwaters, in with the Fluttering,
these were dark individuals, I'm sure we missed light ones
250+ Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, inc 1 or 2 light
phase, all very close inshore, nearer than the sooties
3 Arctic Jaegers, all dark
1 Pomerine Jaeger, also dark
also 50+ Crested Terns and c50 Gannets milling
about.
Hadn't expected so much so close in (there was
masses more out on the horizon, inc several unidentifiable albatross sightings),
and don't know how unusual this was. The previous day a rather nasty front had
passed through the area from the south so may have been
responsible.
Any opinions welcomed, and as I say, I'll get round
to a full resume of a trip which included Origma, Fernwren, Carpentarian
Grasswren, Yellow Chat and Gibberbird (a good mix in 20 days) when I've
recovered better.
Cheers Oz
Steve Keen
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