Hi all,
I've also finished the report for the
Albany Pelagic trip run on the 4th May this year. This report with photos
is viewable online at
http://wabirdingblog.blogspot.com.au/2014/05/albany-pelagic-trip-4-may-2014.html
but again I include the text-only version below.
Highlights
included more Black-bellied Storm-Petrel, two more
South Polar Skua, a dark intermediate Soft-plumaged Petrel, and three Arctic
Terns
Cheers,
John
Participants: Alan Collins (Organiser), John Graff (Organiser), John Bailey,
Stewart Ford, Nigel Jackett, John Litherland, Wayne Merritt, David Mitford,
Bernard O’Keefe, Stuart Pickering, Jon Pridham, Colin Reid, Bev Thiele, Nathan
Waugh, John Weigel, Gavin White
Conditions: Conditions were forecast to be flatter than the Saturday trip, with
seas of 1m, and a swell of 2-3m, easing further during the day. Variable light
winds (5-10knts) were forecast. Conditions were reasonably close to the
forecast, making for a relatively flat ride throughout the trip.
Report
This trip was another excellent trip, following on from the Sunday trip. 13
tubenose species were recorded, highlighted by more excellent views of
Black-bellied Storm-Petrels, a dark morph Soft-plumaged Petrel, and large
numbers of Little Shearwaters. Two South Polar Skuas were also seen on the
return journey, unfortunately views were again rather brief and distant, and
several Arctic Terns were seen at the shelf. As on the Saturday trip, albatross
numbers were notably low.
We left Emu Point a little after 0700. The journey across King George Sound was
quiet, with the first Flesh-footed Shearwaters not appearing until quite close
to the heads. Two Brown Skuas were also seen, causing some brief excitement in
the hope of South Polars. We passed through the heads, but as with the previous
day there was little activity initially. Both Wilson’s and White-faced
Storm-Petrel were seen, along with a single Hutton’s Shearwater, another Brown
Skua, and a Soft-plumaged Petrel (shallower than usual). The only albatross
seen were singles each of Black-browed, Shy and Indian Yellow-nosed, as
activity remained low until just before the shelf edge. Here, a distant tern
was called off the port side; this was probably a ‘Commic’ type but before it
could come closer, attention was drawn to several Little Shearwaters flying
along with the boat, allowing better than normal views. Several more were seen
over the next few minutes, along with a number of Hutton’s Shearwater.
We stopped the boat in 600m of water and started to chum. The light winds meant
birds were slow to arrive, but the Flesh-footed Shearwaters and Wilson’s
Storm-Petrels started to trickle in. The first major interest came when the
first Black-bellied Storm-Petrel put in an appearance – though numbers appeared
to be down compared to Saturday, the species was again almost everpresent in
the chum slick. A dark or dark intermediate morph Soft-plumaged Petrel followed
shortly afterwards. Typical pale Soft-plumaged Petrels, Great-winged Petrels,
and Shy and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross all made appearances, but the action
was slower than on Saturday in the lighter winds. We drifted into 100m of
water, so followed the slick out again; however, the depth had only reached
150m by the time we reached the deep end of the slick. Nonetheless, a short
stop here proved worthwhile as an Arctic Tern made an appearance. Several more
Little Shearwater were also seen, with more good views.
At about 1145, we repositioned to the deep edge of a sharp drop-off, in about
600m of water, and set up a slick. Once again, bird numbers were slow to build,
but an Arctic Tern reappeared, followed by a second, then later a third. They
continued to remain in the slick for an extended period, and made several close
passes. A few Black-bellied and White-faced Storm-Petrels continued to share
the slick with numerous Wilson’s Storm-Petrels. A shark, thought to be another
whaler sp., was also seen around the boat for an extended period, but it kept
away from the surface. An immature Black-browed Albatross added to the tally,
and then the call went up for a Wandering Albatross. The presence of numerous
vermiculations in the plumage, and little white in the wings suggested gibsoni
or dabbenena. Occasional Little Shearwaters continued to pass, and the final
interest came when the first Cape Petrel of the weekend appeared.
We headed for home at about 1345, and for most of the journey bird activity was
quiet. A few Little Shearwaters were the main birds of interest. As we
approached the heads, activity increased again. An Arctic Jaeger passed across
the bow, and some people also saw a skua at the same time. Closer to the heads,
two Black-browed Albatross were seen, including an adult. We decided to stop
briefly to use the last of our chum. We waited for 15 minutes, but only a young
Black-browed Albatross showed any interest, so we motored on. However within
minutes of setting off, two skuas passed behind the boat, heading west. Views
were frustratingly distant, but prominent white wing flashes and relatively
pale body colouration on both birds indicated two South Polar Skuas. This was
confirmed by some distant photographs. This was the last major excitement of
the trip, though another Brown Skua and (interestingly) two Hutton’s
Shearwaters were seen in King George Sound. We finally docked at approximately
1645. As always, many thanks go to all the participants, and to Tony and Fred
from Spinners Charters.
Species List [Total Count (Maximum no. seen at one time)]
Wandering Albatross [sp] 1 (1) – prob gibsoni/dabbenena
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 13 (4)
Black-browed Albatross 7 (2)
Shy Albatross 10 (3)
Cape Petrel 1 (1)
Great-winged Petrel 30 (4)
Soft-plumaged Petrel 15 (3) – including 1 dark morph
Flesh-footed Shearwater 100 (20)
Hutton’s Shearwater 20 (10)
Little Shearwater 35 (8)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 500 (95)
Black-bellied Storm-Petrel 20 (3)
White-faced Storm-Petrel 45 (3)
Brown Skua 5 (2)
South Polar Skua 2 (2) – second skua seen travelling with this bird also likely
a South Polar
Arctic Jaeger 1 (1)
Arctic Tern 3 (3)
Australasian Gannet 12 (5)
Common Bottlenose Dolphin 2 (2)
Shark [Whaler sp.] 1 (1)
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