Hi All,
Here's the trip report for one of two pelagic trips we had off Eaglehawk
Neck last weekend.
Cheers,
Rohan
Birdlife Australia Pelagic Trip off Eaglehawk Neck, Tas, Saturday 27th
July 2013
OBSERVERS: Scott Baker, Tim Bawden, Paul Brooks, Paul Dodd, Dougald
Frederick, Marlene Lyle, Jeremy O’Wheel, Glen Pacey, Els Wakefield,
Andrew Walter, John Weigel, Ruth Woodrow and Rohan Clarke
(organiser/report compiler).
WEATHER: A 5 kt northerly inshore, increasing to a 10-15 kt northerly
offshore and in pelagic waters. Wind remained much the same for the
remainder of the day. High hazy cloud with occasional patches of direct
sunlight. Good to excellent visibility. Cool to mild.
SEA: 1 m swell, 0.2 m sea in inshore waters increasing to a 1-1.5 m
swell and a 0.5m sea in offshore and pelagic waters. A comfortable ride
throughout the day with almost no spray. A sea surface temperature of
14.2 C was noted at the shelf (atypically warm for late July).
ACTIVITY: Sailed at 0720 EST. Headed out past the Hippolyte rock stack
before proceeding to the shelf which we crossed at 0908. Very few birds
on the way out. Our first stop was at 43º09.10’S 148º17.21’E over
475-500 fathoms were we berleyed with fish discards and chicken skin.
Moved further north to 43º03.79’S 148º19.46’E again over 400-500 fathoms
for a second berley stop. The last stop of the day was back on the shelf
edge (43º02.61’S 148º15.86’E ~200 fathoms). Headed back in at 1340,
docking at around 1510.
MAMMALS:
Aust. Fur Seal: 1 inshore in the AM, 1 offshore in the PM and 5 on the
Hippolytes
BIRDS: 22 species beyond Pirates Bay indicates average diversity.
Highlights were good but brief views of White-headed Petrel, excellent
views of Brown Skua, White-fronted Tern and the more common species of
albatross. This list follows current IOC taxonomy.
Antipodean Albatross: 1 gibsoni-type, pelagic between 1st and 2nd berley
points. A sub-adult/adult.
Black-browed Albatross: 1 adult pelagic.
Campbell’s Albatross: 2 (2). 1 immature and 1 adult at the 1st berley point.
Shy Albatross cauta/steadi: 70 (30). 3 inshore, 11 offshore, remainder
pelagic. 1 dark hooded juvenile in offshore waters was a slightly worn
cauta, otherwise there were 2 immatures (both pelagic) and the remainder
were adult. http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/shy_albatross
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross: 3 (2). All adult, all pelagic.
Buller’s Albatross: 60 (25). All adult, all pelagic.
Cape Petrel: 5 (3). All pelagic. All of the nominate ssp.
Fairy Prion: 20 (5). All pelagic.
Great-winged Petrel: 70 (25). All pelagic. All ssp. gouldi.
White-headed Petrel: 4 (1). All pelagic.
Sooty Shearwater: 5 (1). 4 pelagic, 1 offshore in the PM.
Fluttering Shearwater: 2 (1). 1 offshore in the AM, 1 pelagic.
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel: 2 (1). Both pelagic.
Common Diving Petrel: 39 (5). 25 inshore, 10 offshore, 4 pelagic.
Australasian Gannet: 20 (4). 10 inshore, 3 offshore, 7 pelagic. All
adults. None on the Hippolytes.
Black-faced Cormorant: 1 inshore in the AM and 14 on and around the
Hippolytes.
Silver Gull: 1 inshore in the AM.
Pacific Gull: 1 adult inshore and 1 3rd year bird on the Hippolytes.
Kelp Gull: 31 (20). All adult, all inshore. Also 15 on the Hippolytes.
Crested Tern: 24 (4). 9 inshore, 9 offshore, 6 pelagic.
White-fronted Tern: 8 (2). All pelagic. 7 adults, 1 juvenile.
Brown Skua: 1 adult pelagic.
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/southern_skua
3 White-faced Heron at the Hippolytes rounded out the list.
--
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
Latest updates
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/root&view=recent
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