Hi all,
I've finally compiled the trip reports from the Albany pelagic weekend in May.
It was another solid weekend of trips, though we didn't see anything different
by heading further offshore. The highlight of the Saturday trip was another
South Polar Skua sighting, our fifth consecutive record for May Albany
pelagics. Better than usual views of Little Shearwater, and two Sperm Whale at
the shelf break were also good to see
The full report is available online at
http://wabirdingblog.blogspot.com.au/2015/07/albany-pelagic-trip-report-23-may-2015.html.
I've included the text only version below
Cheers,
John
Summary
This was a good trip, with a good variety of seabirds seen (including 13
tubenose species). However, we didn't see anything different as a result of
travelling further offshore to deeper water. The highlights were at least one
South Polar Skua, an intermediate-type Soft-plumaged Petrel, better-than-usual
views of a number of Little Shearwater, several Wandering Albatross, and a pair
of Sperm Whales.
Participants:
Alan Collins (Organiser), John Graff (Organiser), Plaxy Barratt, Damian Baxter,
Richard Baxter, Bill Betts, Martin Cake, Stewart Ford, Geoff Glare, William
Gye, Neil Macumber, Dan Mantle, Ian Mayer, Bernard O’Keefe, Claire Payne, Peter
Taylor.
Conditions:
The wind was forecast N/NW at 15-20knts in the morning, swinging W then SW
through the day and increasing to 25knts in the afternoon with the passage of a
small front. Seas were forecast at 1m, increasing to 1.5-2m during the day,
with the swell forecast SW’ly at 1.5m increasing to 2-2.5m. Conditions were
very comfortable on the outbound journey with only a modest swell and little
spray. The cold front passed through after lunch, bringing a heavy shower and
an increase in the wind. The W'ly wind and rougher seas made the return trip
less comfortable and necessitated the use of the spray sheet on the port side.
Report
In order to give us more time to travel further offshore, we departed earlier
than on usual trips, leaving Emu Point Boat Harbour a little behind schedule at
0515. We crossed King George Sound and cleared the heads in darkness, and were
well offshore before the first dark shapes started appearing against the dawn
light. A Black-browed Albatross was the first identifiable bird seen, and was
followed by several more, along with Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross and
Great-winged Petrel. These three species proved to be the most regular
sightings throughout the outbound journey, but we soon added the first Wilson’s
Storm-Petrel, along with brief views of a Cape Petrel and a pair of Little
Shearwaters. A Tree Martin crossing the stern about 20km offshore was also a
surprise. The first Wandering-type Albatross (a suspected Snowy exulans) made a
pass as we reached deeper water, a sure sign we’d crossed the shelf break, but
we continued deeper before finally stopping in approximately 3,000m of water.
We deployed the chum and were immediately joined by several Black-browed and
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross, with Great-winged Petrels making regular passes.
A few Wilson's Storm-Petrel also arrived to feed in the slick. However,
although there was a reasonable level of activity, it took a while for anything
different to arrive. A couple of Flesh-footed Shearwaters arrived at the boat;
surprisingly these were the only confirmed records for the weekend, and it
appears the bulk of the population has left by mid-late May. A few Little
Shearwaters were seen in the mid-distance, with several providing relatively
good views for this species, which is notoriously difficult to see well on
pelagics! Another WA special arrived shortly afterwards with the first
Soft-plumaged Petrel making an appearance. This was made more interesting as it
was an intermediate-plumaged individual; such individuals are reportedly rare,
but several have been seen off the south west in recent years. More excitement
came when a skua approached the boat, bringing hopes of a South Polar Skua. The
bird came in and landed by the boat, but the general consensus on board was
that it was a Brown Skua. However, subsequent discussion based on photos
obtained raised some questions about this identification, with a dark South
Polar being considered. Photos show a relatively cold-toned body, contrasting
with the wings, while a pale collar is also evident. Conversely, the bill looks
quite heavy in some photos, and there is noticeable foot projection. Despite
further discussion, it has so far been identified only as a skua sp.
As things continued to remain relatively quiet overall, a concentration of
birds in the distance eventually proved too interesting to resist and we
abandoned the slick and motored over. The majority of birds turned out to be
Great-winged Petrels, with a few Soft-plumaged Petrel scattered amongst them. A
few people also saw a skua in the throng, but once again identification has
proven problematic. The overall structure, small head, and suggestions of both
a pale collar and pale bill blaze hint at a possible South Polar, but the
overall plumage tone is still quite brown. Once again, the identification has
been left at a skua sp. With activity in the area, we deployed a new slick.
Most of the common species from the first stop remained present, and we were
treated to a few more brief Little Shearwater fly-bys. The first White-faced
Storm-Petrel made an appearance amongst the Wilson's Storm-Petrels, then the
call went out for a Wandering-type Albatross. Pleasingly, this bird came in and
landed near the boat which few Wanderers have done in recent years. The large
size, long and heavy bill, and extensively white plumage indicated that this
bird was almost certainly a Snowy Albatross (Diomedea [exulans] exulans). Also
of interest was a second intermediate-type Soft-plumaged Petrel, this one
showing a broader dusky collar and grey streaking on the flanks. A fourth skua
made a brief appearance, but consensus on the specific identification was not
reached on the brief views and the few photos obtained.
With a cold front looming, we decided to move inshore a little to compare the
results with our foray deeper. We motored back towards the shelf break and
stopped at a more typical stopping depth, in around 1,000m of water. A handful
of Black-browed and Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross arrived immediately, and were
joined by the Snowy Albatross from the previous stop. The move started paying
dividends quickly, as a second Wandering-type Albatross circled and landed at
the back of the boat. This bird showed extensive mottled brown plumage, but
comparisons of both bill size and overall size with the Snowy Albatross at the
back of the boat suggested that this was also likely a Snowy Albatross, albeit
a much younger individual. These were also joined at the back of the boat by a
Northern Giant-Petrel, while Wilson's and occasional White-faced Storm-Petrels
remained around the slick. A third Wandering-type Albatross (possibly another
Snowy) made a pass in the mid-distance but did not approach the boat. A Cape
Petrel also made an appearance, but more excitement was caused by yet another
skua approaching the boat. This bird proved to be a clear South Polar Skua,
which landed on the water near the boat to allow most people good views.
Shortly after this, a whale blow off the starboard side attracted attention.
The combination of a relatively low and bushy blow, and the location off the
shelf edge suggested a Sperm Whale, and further observations confirmed the
identification and indicated two animals were present. We drifted towards one
of the whales and were able to make out the back of the animal, before it blew
one final time and fluked as it dived for the depths.
The approaching weak cold front hit us not long after lunch, bringing a brief
but heavy shower and an increase in the wind and seas. The dark cloud also
brought a change in the light, and an albatross with a very dark grey hood and
dark underwing caused some excitement; unfortunately it proved to be a dark
hooded juvenile Black-browed Albatross made to appear darker in the poor light.
The first (and only) Shy Albatross of the day made a pass of the boat, but with
choppy seas threatening a longer-than-usual return trip, we headed for home at
around 1330.
The rougher seas and strong wind in the wake of the cold front made the inbound
journey a little rough, with enough spray to necessitate the use of a spray
sheet on the exposed side of the boat. Several Soft-plumaged Petrels gave
excellent fly-by views as we travelled, but there was little else of note until
we reached the heads. A single distant skua was seen but few details could be
made out. A few people also saw a small pod of Short-beaked Common Dolphin off
the stern just after we entered the heads, a first confirmed record for Albany
trips. A loafing flock of Australasian Gannets provided some interest in the
sound, and a single Wilson's Storm-Petrel feeding amongst the lines of
fisherman at the entrance to Oyster Harbour was a major surprise. We docked
shortly afterwards at 1635. As always, thanks go to all trip participants for
making these trips possible, and the boat crew Tony and Fred from Spinners
Charters for their usual patience and friendly assistance.
Species List [Total count (Max. seen at one time)]
Wandering Albatross 4 (3) - 2+ Snowy, 1 Antipodean (gibsoni)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 15 (7)
Black-browed Albatross 15 (6)
Shy Albatross 1 (1)
Northern Giant-Petrel 1 (1)
Cape Petrel 2 (1)
Great-winged Petrel 150 (26)
Soft-plumaged Petrel 12 (3) - 2 intermediate birds
Flesh-footed Shearwater 3 (2)
Little Shearwater 20 (2)
Wilson's Storm-Petrel 70 (43)
White-faced Storm-Petrel 10 (3)
Brown Skua 1 (1)
South Polar Skua 1 (1)
Skua sp. 3 (1)
Silver Gull 5 (5)
Crested Tern 2 (1)
Australasian Gannet 35 (25)
Sperm Whale 2 (2)
Short-beaked Common Dolphin 6+ (6)
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