On Saturday afternoon (9th June 2007), David Mitford and I had interesting
sea watch from Magic Pt Maroubra (my first this winter) in very tough
conditions (especially with frequent sea spray and punching winds). Winds
were from the south to south east with speeds up to or exceeding 50 knots
causing much storm damage throughout the Sydney, the Central Coast and
Hunter Regions in NSW at the time. However as the low preasure system had
developed just off Sydney and not further south as we would have preferred
for sea watching (and off course to prevent the damage and havoc it has
caused for hundreds of people), there were not as many cold water species
about as yet. These were definitely the windiest conditions we have ever
experienced during a sea watch. I think I will draw the line when Sydney
gets a cyclone!!
We had a number of Great-winged Petrels come very close to shore as well as
a few unidentified Giant Petrels (one arcing very high into the air) and
several Black-browed and a few Fluttering Shearwaters amongst the numerous
Australasian Gannets. There were NO SILVER GULLS present even on the beach.
The "severe" stormy conditions must have scared them off. There probably
would have been some Storm Petrels in these conditions close to the coast
but hard to sea with the high seas.
Our list and numbers of sea birds recorded that afternoon included:
Fairy Penguin (heard)
Black-browed Albatross (25)
Shy Albatross (4)
Giant Petrel species (4)
Great-winged Petrel (8)
Fluttering Shearwater (6)
Little Black Cormorant (1)
Great Cormorant (1)
Australasian Gannet (200)
Crested Terns (10)
Mammals recorded:
Fur Seal (1)
In much calmer conditions the following morning, David saw much more birds
including 52 Black-browed, 1 Wandering and 1 Yellow-nosed Albatross, 4
White-fronted Tern, 87 Fluttering Shearwaters and a Pomarine Jaeger.
Still waiting for Australia's first New Zealand Storm Petrel off Magic Pt
(I'll have my pen and note book ready to tick it!)
Edwin Vella
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www.birding-aus.org
birding-aus.blogspot.com
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