In addition to David Mitford’s sighting below there were an incredible 114 Streaked Shearwaters recorded
off North Head (Sydney) the same day.
David said that a few of the Streaked
Shearwaters came very close to the headland that individual feathers could be
clearly seen.
I wonder if any more Streaked Shearwaters have
made there way to VIC??
Edwin Vella
-----Original Message-----
From: Edwin Vella
[
Sent: Monday, 13 February 2006 1:09 PM
To: Birding-aus
Subject: NSW Lots of Streaked
Shearwaters off Maroubra, Sydney - 12th February 2006
David Mitford has advised me that he saw 23 Streaked
Shearwaters in “90 minutes” from Maroubra (approx. 10 km south of
Sydney CBD). This is quite a high number for this uncommon species for NSW. I
thought seeing 3 one afternoon was good. Though according to the book
“Birds of Sydney” by Ern Hoskin, a flock of 28 plus were seen on a
pelagic off Sydney Heads on 24/4/82.
David also in that fantastic 90 minutes a White-necked
Petrel, another regular but uncommon species off NSW that breeds on Norfolk
Island a few hundred km’s off from
NSW.
Interestingly both the Streaked Shearwater and White-necked
Petrel were not even mentioned in the 1980 edition Pizzey Field Guide!
Edwin Vella
