Hi all,
The report and some photos from the Albany pelagic on Saturday 7th February is
now online at
http://wabirdingblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/02/albany-pelagic-trip-report-7-february.html.
The text-only version is included below.
This was a new time of year for Albany pelagics, and it turned out to be a good
trip with a few interesting records. Notable records included a large pod of
Pilot Whales (probably Long-finned) around the boat, Sooty Terns (first records
I can find for the south coast of WA), and Long-tailed Jaegers (rarely reported
in WA, but probably under-reported). The most frustrating sighting was a
Wandering-type Albatross which did not come in at all, but photos show to have
been a typical antipodensis or amsterdamensis type!
Cheers,
John
Summary: This was the first trip run off Albany in February (or any summer
month, for that matter) so it was difficult to know what to expect. It turned
out to be an interesting trip, with a reasonable variety of seabirds. 9-10
tubenose species were recorded, along with several skua and tern species. The
highlights were close views of a large pod of Pilot Whales around the boat, and
records of Sooty Tern, Long-tailed Jaeger, and Short-tailed Shearwater. The
latter two were not unexpected at this time of year, but both represent the
second records of the species for Albany pelagics. The Sooty Terns were more
unexpected, and appear to represent the first records of the species off the
south coast of WA.
Participants: Alan Collins (Organiser), John Graff (Organiser), Plaxy Barratt,
Bill Betts, Rose Ferrell, Stewart Ford, Ross Jones, Dan Mantle, Ian Mayer, Peta
Moore, Michael Morcombe, Robyn Pickering, Nathan Piesse, George Swann, Peter
Taylor, Roy Teale, Peter Valentine
Conditions: Conditions were forecast to be relatively calm, with seas 1-1.5m
and swell 1.5-2m. Winds were forecast easterly at 10-15 knts. Conditions were
largely as forecast; if anything somewhat calmer.
Report
We departed Emu Point Boat Harbour at approximately 0600. Activity in King
George Sound was limited, but several people saw a distant Arctic Jaeger, and
the first Flesh-footed Shearwaters began to appear. As we approached the heads,
a small group of Common Bottlenose Dolphins was seen briefly. We cleared the
heads, but little was seen aside from increasing numbers of Flesh-footed
Shearwaters. Eventually, the first albatross was seen, a young
Black-browed-type which may have been a Campbell Albatross, but separation of
immatures ranges from difficult to impossible. This was followed by an adult
Black-browed Albatross, and the first Indian Yellow-nosed and Shy Albatross
followed reasonably shortly afterwards. A jaeger was then seen in the
mid-distance; the buoyant, tern-like flight style indicated a Long-tailed
Jaeger. A second was seen shortly afterwards, but little else was seen until we
reached the shelf break.
We passed over the continental shelf edge and stopped the boat in 800m of
water, and a third Long-tailed Jaeger was seen briefly making a pass over the
boat by several people. Indian Yellow-nosed and Shy Albatross joined the
Flesh-footed Shearwaters around the boat and the call for whales went out
almost immediately, as a large pod of Pilot Whales was seen off the starboard
side. Whilst initially quite distant, several groups made very close passes of
the boat. Separation of Short-finned and Long-finned Pilot Whale at sea is very
challenging and both could occur off Albany, though Long-finned is the more
likely species. The relatively prominent pale saddle on a number of the animals
is also suggestive of Long-finned. A few people also saw some more triangular
dorsal fins which suggested a second cetacean species was present, which has
subsequently been supported by photographs – identification has so far proved
problematic though. The first White-faced Storm-Petrel made an appearance in
the slick, and the species remained present in small numbers at both stops. A
Short-tailed Shearwater was also spotted making a pass amongst the numerous
Flesh-footed Shearwaters – this was the second record for Albany pelagics, but
was not unexpected as the species breeds in large numbers on islands in the
Recherche Archipelago off Esperance. Then a group of five terns were sighted
off the stern. These were initially assumed to be Bridled Terns, but as they
made a pass of the boat, several observers suggested that at least some of them
were in fact Sooty Terns. Photographs have subsequently indicated all five
individuals were Sooty Terns, a first record for Albany pelagics and quite
possibly a first record for the south coast of WA. The first Wilson’s
Storm-Petrel for the day was also seen, and another group of Pilot Whales also
made a close pass of the boat.
After drifting for around two hours, we relocated a little deeper, stopping the
boat in 900 m of water at around 1100. Whilst travelling, another Sooty Tern
and another Long-tailed Jaeger were seen. We deployed the second chum block,
but the species present remained similar to the previous stop until a
Great-winged Petrel was finally spotted amongst the Flesh-footed Shearwaters. A
few more individuals made passes throughout the stop. Several more Sooty Terns
also made passes, including a pair passing high over the boat. The major
interest came when the call went out for a Wandering-type Albatross.
Frustratingly, it passed by distantly and did not come into the boat. The
frustration increased when photos showed it to be a classic antipodensis (sensu
stricto) or amsterdamensis type, with a wholly dark upperwing, dark cap and ear
coverts, but largely pale body. Photos even suggest a dark bill tip, so it is
very disappointing the bird didn’t come closer. The final sighting of note was
a shark that appeared off the back of the boat – expert opinion is that the
dorsal fin shape in photos indicates a Dusky Whaler.
We set off for home shortly before 1400. The return trip was largely
uneventful, with nothing new seen, though we did pass a small flock of eight
White-faced Storm-Petrels. Two Arctic Jaegers gave good views in King George
Sound, and a few Australasian Gannets were also seen. We docked at
approximately 1630. Many thanks as always to all the participants, and to Tony
and Fred from Spinners Charters for their assistance.
Species List (Total count [Maximum seen at one time])
Wandering Albatross sp. 1 (1) – antipodensis (sensu stricto) or amsterdamensis
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 18 (6)
Black-browed Albatross 1 (1)
Black-browed Albatross [sp.] 1 (1)
Shy Albatross 10 (3)
Great-winged Petrel 6 (1)
Flesh-footed Shearwater 300 (60)
Short-tailed Shearwater 1 (1)
Wilsons Storm-Petrel 9 (6)
White-faced Storm-Petrel 20 (8)
Arctic Jaeger 3 (2)
Long-tailed Jaeger 6 (1)
Caspian Tern 1 (1)
Crested Tern 5 (2)
Sooty Tern 10 (5)
Australasian Gannet 4 (2)
Pilot Whale 60+ (50+) – probable Long-finned Pilot Whale
unidentified cetaceans 5+ (5) – possibly False Killer Whales
Common Bottlenose Dolphin 4 (4)
Dusky Whaler 1 (1)
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