BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA PELAGIC TRIP off EAGLEHAWK NECK, Tas, Saturday 15^th
September 2012
OBSERVERS: Stuart Cooney, Amanda Smith, Dan Weller, Cristina Del
Borrello, Simon Scott, Andy Jenson, John Lillywhite, Geoff Bromfield,
Liz Znidersic, John Weigel, Geoff Jones, Scott Baker, Els Wakefield and
Rohan Clarke (organiser/report compiler).
WEATHER: Reasonably calm inshore, 5 knots and variable increasing to 15
knots in offshore and pelagic waters in the early AM. Moderating around
1000 to ~5 knots. 60% cloud in AM clearing completely by 1300. Good to
excellent visibility. Cool to mild.
SEA: Reasonably flat through inshore waters with first real swell just
beyond the Hipploytes. In offshore and pelagic waters a 0.5m sea on a 2
m south-easterly swell with occasional larger sets to 3 m. A comfortable
ride throughout the day with almost no spray or splash. Around 1000
conditions moderated (swell 1-1.5 m).
ACTIVITY: Sailed at 0715 EST. Headed out past the Hipployte rock stack
before proceeding to the shelf which we crossed at 0905. Surprisingly
few birds out to the Hippolytes and generally low numbers all the way to
the shelf. The one exception was very good numbers of Common Diving
Petrels in both inshore and offshore waters. Our first stop at
43º11.02'S 148º13.48'E over 250 fathoms (drifting out to 500+ fathoms)
were we berleyed with fish discards and chicken skin. Moved further
north and further out to 43º09.00'S 148º17.72'E over 1000 fathoms for a
second berley stop. The last stop of the day was back on the shelf edge
(43º07.85'S 148º14.46'E ~250 fathoms). Headed back in at 1330, docking
at around 1500.
MAMMALS:
Australian Fur Seal: 1 inshore and ~20 on Hippolyte Rock.
Common Dolphin: 5 inshore in the AM.
BIRDS: 25 species beyond Pirates Bay (+ a few additional
albatross/petrel taxa) indicates good diversity. Highlights were good
but brief views of Grey Petrel, excellent views of Sooty Albatross as
well as Soft-plumaged and White-headed Petrel and both Royal Albatross.
Great-winged Petrel: 15 (5). All pelagic. Mostly ssp. gouldii, 2
nominate. All pelagic.
White-headed Petrel: 2 (1). Both pelagic.
Soft-plumaged Petrel: 2 (1). Both pelagic. Reasonable views of one, poor
views of the other.
Cape Petrel: 4 (3). All pelagic. 2 definite nominate and 3 definite
australe.
GREY PETREL: 2 (1). brief pelagic sightings at second and third berley
points.
White-chinned Petrel: 3 (2). All pelagic
Common Diving Petrel: 360 (150). 200 inshore, remainder offshore. Large
numbers in AM, lesser numbers in PM.
Fairy Prion: 1 pelagic.
Northern Giant-Petrel: 6 (4). All immatures. One offshore, remainder
pelagic.
Southern Giant-Petrel: 1 juvenile in offshore waters in the PM.
Wandering Albatross: 5(2). All gibsoni-type, all pelagic. 1 juvenile
remainder sub-adult/adult.
SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS: 6 (3). 3 juveniles, 1 immature/sub-adult and 2
adults. 1 offshore, remainder pelagic with 3 together at the first two
berley points.
NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS: 1 juvenile at the last berley point.
Black-browed Albatross: all nominate ssp. 9 (4). 5 immature birds, 3
adults, 1 juvenile. All pelagic.
Shy Albatross all /cauta/steadi/: 60 (35). 2 inshore, 8 offshore,
remainder pelagic. 2 immature, remainder adult. 1dark hooded juvenile at
the last berley point was probably a fresh plumaged /steadi/.
Yellow-nosed Albatross: 3 (3). All adult, all pelagic.
SOOTY ALBATROSS: 1 sub-adult at the first berley point for about 5 minutes.
Short-tailed Shearwater: 15 (10). All offshore in the PM.
Sooty Shearwater: 1 offshore in the PM.
Black-faced Cormorant: 9 inshore in the AM and 77 on and around the
Hippolytes.
Australasian Gannet: 5 (3). All adults, 2 inshore and 3 pelagic at the
third berley point. Also 6 on the Hippolytes.
Crested Tern: 12 (5). 1 inshore, 5 offshore and remainder pelagic. Also
35 on the Hippolytes.
Kelp Gull: 45 (30). Mostly adult. 2 offshore, remainder inshore. Also 22
on the Hippolytes.
Pacific Gull: 1 second year bird, 1 adult on the Hipploytes.
Silver Gull: 1 inshore, 6 offshore, plus 32 on and around the Hippolytes.
A White-faced Heron and a White-bellied Sea-Eagle at the Hipploytes
rounded out the list.
Regards,
Rohan Clarke
--
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
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