Southport Pelagic 29th August 2009
Vessel: M.V.Grinner
Skipper: Craig Newton
Crew: Craig Newton
Pax: Paul Walbridge (organizer & leader), Brian Russell, Owen Prowse,
Robert Dougherty, Stuart Warren, Colin Reid, Jim Sneddon, Smathi Chong,
Richard Fuller, Wendy Wilesmith, Bert Harris, Kelly Farrell, Tony
Bailey.
Weather conditions: A trough off Fraser Island weakened to the south
during the day with NW*N winds increasing in intensity to 30 knots as
the day progressed. Moderate cloud cover, visibility generally quite
good. Maximum air temp 26* C, barometer 1016 hPa.
Sea conditions: Calm seas on leaving the Seaway but it was noticed that
the wave sets were increasingly closer. Halfway across the Shelf the
wind had really kicked in from the north and blowing at 20+ knots the
seas and swell started to pick up. By the first drift seas to 1.7 metres
on 2+ metre swell, with little N-S current running, conditions were
uncomfortable to say the least. Sea surface temps. 19.3* C at the
Seaway, rising to 22.7* halfway across the Shelf and 23.1* C at the
widest point, just beyond the Shelfbreak.
Left the Seaway at 0705 hrs and headed out initially ENE to first drift
point still on the Shelf, then ESE to our final drift at 1200 hrs
approx. 43 kilometres ESE of Southport Seaway. Headed for home at 1305
hrs, arriving back at the Seaway at 1615 hrs. Total duration of trip 9
hrs 10 mins.
On leaving the Seaway a few prawn trawlers were spotted coming in and
observed with little more than a few Silver Gulls, Crested Terns and
Wedge-tailed Shearwaters which by now had returned for summer breeding.
Very quiet heading out over the Shelf, just a few Gannets, Wedge-tailed
Shearwaters and a lone Hutton*s Shearwater which was so well fed and
plump looking that it could barely muster the energy to fly, despite the
wind. The first Wilson*s Storm Petrel appeared at 0840 hrs and not
easy to pick up in the increasing slop.
Conditions were worsening and when the first pterodroma in the shape of
a Providence Petrel appeared at 0936 hrs, it was decided to try a drift,
still well and truly on the Shelf. A few more Providence Petrels,
Wedge-tailed Shearwaters and the first Black-bellied Storm Petrel of the
day appeared but then things petered out so we headed out in a slightly
more southerly direction to make it more comfortable for the patrons.
On arriving at the second drift point just into Shelf waters a lone
Humpback Whale was sighted slowly cruising south, shortly followed by a
much smaller, narrower cetacean with a much different breaching action,
heading north * an adult Minke Whale.
This drift, with plenty of berley thrown over was not very productive
with most birds seemingly blown south with the increasingly strong
northerly gusting winds. However a few Providence Petrels and
Black-bellied Storm Petrels made a few close passes around the back of
the vessel to feed and be photographed. Shortly before leaving, a
Great-winged (Grey-faced) Petrel appeared from the south and headed into
the now substantial slick. Not much sighted on the way back home with
the only new bird of the day being an adult Brown Booby crossing close
astern.
Species List:
Wilson Storm Petrel * 2 (1)
Black-bellied Storm Petrel * 4 (1)
Wedge-tailed Shearwater * 37 (6)
Hutton*s Shearwater * 1
Great-winged Petrel -1
Providence Petrel * 7 (3)
Australasian Gannet * 7 (5)
Brown Booby * 1
Pied Cormorant * 1
Crested Tern * 13 ( 2)
Silver Gull * 43 (30)
Cetaceans:
Offshore Bottle-nosed Dolphin * 6+
Humpback Whale -3
Minke Whale * 1
Our sixth pelagic for the year and one of the quietest, particularly
for an August trip, usually known for its species diversity up here.
Next trip is 19th September and the summer stuff & early migration
should be happening.
Contact Paul Walbridge; Ph (H) 07 3391 8839 (W) 07 3139 4584
E-mail:
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