Hi All,
Here's the trip report for the trip that got out on Sunday.
Cheers,
Rohan
BIRDLIFE AUSTRALIA PELAGIC TRIP off EAGLEHAWK NECK, Tas, Sunday 20th
July 2014
OBSERVERS: Tim Bawden, Gil Langfield, Jeremy O'Wheel, Peter Lansley,
Elizabeth Lloyd, Rob Hamilton, Alan Gillanders, John Weigel, Glen Pacey,
Scott Baker, Annette Hatten, Mark Stanley, Els Wakefield and Rohan
Clarke (organiser/report compiler).
WEATHER: A 10 knot SW wing in the AM increasing to 15 knots beyond the
shelf where it remained for the rest of the day. 90% cloud clearing to
50% cloud by midday with extended periods of sunshine. Good visibility.
Cool to cold.
SEA: Reasonably flat through inshore waters with first real swell at the
Hipploytes. In offshore and pelagic waters a 1 m sea on a 2-3 m swell. A
bit more comfortable than on Saturday but we still rocked and rolled for
most of the day. A bit of spray whilst underway and a few ankle-deep
waves across the wash deck but otherwise dry.
ACTIVITY: Sailed at 0710 EST. Headed out past the Hipploytes rock stack
before proceeding to the shelf which we crossed at 0920. Our first stop
at 43º14.64’S 148º15.64’E over 300-460 fathoms where we berleyed with
fish discards and chicken skin. We soon moved further out to 43º11.73’S
148º19.57’E. Because it took some time for bird numbers to build we
stayed with the berley drifting 3 miles further out to finish over 800+
fathoms (~1.45 km!) of water. Headed back in at 1245 to reach the
Pirates Bay Jetty around 1500.
MAMMALS: Australian Fur Seal: 8 on the Hippolytes.
New Zealand Fur Seal: 2 on the Hippolytes.
BIRDS: 23 seabird species (IOC taxonomy) beyond Pirates Bay indicates
average diversity. Highlights were close approaches by a white morph
Southern Giant Petrel, both Northern and Southern Royal Albatross and
both Providence and White-headed Petrel.
Great-winged Petrel: 10 (5). An even split between ssp. gouldii, and the
nominate ssp. All pelagic.
WHITE-HEADED PETREL: 1 at the second berley point hung around for a
little while but never approached closely.
PROVIDENCE PETREL: 1 made several close passes at the second berley stop.
Cape Petrel: 1 that appeared to be a poorly marked individual of the
nominate form followed us around in pelagic waters.
Common Diving Petrel: 70 (10). 5 inshore, 35 offshore, 1 pelagic,
remainder offshore in the PM.
Northern Giant-Petrel: 4 (3). 1 juv, 3 imm. All pelagic.
SOUTHERN GIANT-PETREL: A stunning white morph that joined us just before
the second berley stop and stayed with us for almost two hours. Probably
the most photographed bird of the day by all on board. Some pics here...
Antipodean Albatross: A single distant individual at the second berley
point.
SOUTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS: 5 (3). 3 young adults, 2 older adults
(probably both males). 4 pelagic, 1 of the older birds followed us into
offshore waters.
NORTHERN ROYAL ALBATROSS: 1 at the first berley point made a good number
of close passes.
Black-browed Albatross: 2 (1). Both adult. One at third berley point, 1
offshore in the PM.
Campbell Island Albatross: 2 (2). Both ~second year birds, both pelagic.
Shy Albatross cauta/steadi: 70 (32). 1 juv, 4 adults inshore, 5 adults
offshore, remainder pelagic including 10 immature birds.
Buller’s Albatross: 10 (2). 3 offshore, remainder pelagic. All adult.
Grey-backed Storm-Petrel: 2 (1). 1 at the third berley point, 1 in
offshore waters in the PM.
Short-tailed Shearwater: 1 pelagic.
Sooty Shearwater: 3 (2). All pelagic.
‘Fluttons’ Shearwater: A single Fluttering or Hutton’s Shearwater in
offshore waters in the AM.
Black-faced Cormorant: 1 inshore in the AM and 3 on the Hippolytes.
Australasian Gannet: 8 (4). 7 inshore and 1 at the third berley point.
All adult.
Crested Tern: 20 (8). 13 inshore, 2 offshore and 7 pelagic. Also 6 at
the Hipploytes.
Kelp Gull: 3 adults inshore. Also 26 adults on and over the Hippolytes.
Pacific Gull: 1 adult inshore in the AM, 1 adult and 1 juv at the
Hippolytes.
Silver Gull: 3 adults inshore in the AM.
Also 1 Forest Raven flying between Tasman Peninsula and the Hippolytes
in the AM.
Regards,
Rohan Clarke
--
Rohan Clarke
www.wildlifeimages.com.au
Latest updates
http://www.pbase.com/wildlifeimages/root&view=recent
_______________________________________________
Birding-Aus mailing list
To change settings or unsubscribe visit:
http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org
|
