20th August 2006 - Newcastle Pelagic Trip Report
Prepared by M.Roderick
Present on board - Richard Baxter (leader/organiser), Inger Van Dyke, Phil
Hansbro (leader), Alan Stuart, Grant Penryhn, Rob Quinan, Lorna Mee, Graeme
O'Connor, Dick Jenkin, Mick Roderick.
Departed Newcastle Harbour 0715, returned approx 1730.
Sea to 0.5 to 1m, swell to 1.0m.
Winds 10-15 knots from the SE, easing in the afternoon.
Generally a fine, warm day. Air temperature to 24o
Water temperature approx 20.3o
Drifted north from S 33 3 25 E 152 27 31 to S 33 02 15 E 152 31 20
Summary:
A generally slow day for most people aboard, though for one lucky punter it
was her first pelagic and virtually everything seen was new. From about 2km off
the heads we encountered rafts of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters along with
Fluttering and Hutton's as well as Yellow-nosed Albatross and a single
Black-browed Albatross. Dozens of Gannets were also working just offshore,
including a group of about 30 birds settled on the surface.
Upon arrival at our berleying point, just beyond the shelf, a large fin was
noticed in the water. This was drawn to the attention of the skippers, who
being game-fishermen, quickly identified it as a 200kg+ Blue Marlin. This was
confirmed as the fish swam closer to the boat, the entire (approx. 8ft) body
visible for a brief moment.
The birding was quite slow, with some scattered Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross
and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters at the rear of the boat. Good numbers of
Solander's Petrels were observed flying south, as well as a lone Short-tailed
Shearwater. A single Fairy Prion soon followed, the only Prion of the day.
Small numbers of White-faced Storm Petrel and Cape Petrel were also observed.
The small numbers of Yellow-nosed Albatross and at least two Northern Giant
Petrels made the most of the berley trail. At about 1400, a darkish
Storm-petrel appeared, quickly identified as a BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL, with
all features easily recognised and numerous photo's snapped in quick
succession. At least one other of these birds was seen in the following
half-hour. A young Gibson's Albatross zoomed in and straight through in the
late afternoon, whilst a second Wandering type Albatross was seen soon after
from a distance.
On the way back the skids went on as a single SALVIN'S ALBATROSS was observed
off the bow wave. The Wedge-tailed Shearwaters, Gannets and to a lesser extent
the Yellow-nosed Albatross were still present close to the heads in the
afternoon as well.
Species / counts (numbers in parenthese are the highest count around the boat
at any one point in time)
Cape Petrel 3 (1)
Northern Giant Petrel 2 (2)
Providence Petrel 30 (3)
Fairy Prion 1
Wedge-tailed Shearwater 600 (50)
Short-tailed Shearwater 1
Fluttering Shearwater 20 (4)
Hutton's Shearwater 350 (10)
Gibson's Albatross 1
Wandering (type) Albatross 1
Black-browed Albatross 1
Shy Albatross 1
SALVIN'S ALBATROSS 1
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 30 (5)
White-faced Storm Petrel 3 (1)
BLACK-BELLIED STORM PETREL 20 (8)
Australasian Gannet 150 (45)
Crested Tern 20 (4)
Regards,
Mick
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