SYDNEY PELAGIC TRIP REPORT – SUNDAY JULY 24, 2016
This pelagic trip was a reschedule of the 9 July trip, which was lost to a very
large swell and poor conditions. We experienced fresh winds (15-20 knots) and
a big swell (3m) but the latter was nicely spaced (about 14 seconds between
tops according to the skipper Mark) so the boat rode up and down without too
much discomfort for any on board (although losing birds behind the wave tops
was a regular source of frustration). Unlike the May trip, several days of
strong westerlies did not seem to reduce the number of birds this time around
and we saw 15 species outside the heads, although several in ones or twos only.
Black-browed Albatross were the dominant species by a long margin.
We departed Rose Bay Wharf at approx. 7:15 am with 21 passengers on board –
with a few regulars but a large number of visitors and first time trippers as
well. (One missing regular was Roger McGovern so I am filling in as pelagic
correspondent for this trip). Although the berley trail was started as we left
the harbour, we had managed to attract about a dozen Silver Gulls as we crossed
from Mosman to Rose Bay. As we left the harbour, a White-bellied Sea Eagle
cruised past us at Watsons Bay (although when it crossed the harbour and flew
over Clarke Island, the Raven attacks made its flight somewhat less serene).
When berleying started, we attracted a good following of Silver Gulls which, in
turn started to attract a following of other birds. Several Australasian
Gannets came for a look, as well as some Crested Terns and shortly after
leaving the harbour we saw the first of many Black-browed Albatross. We also
drew the attention of three Brown Skuas, a species which would be an almost
permanent companion as we headed east and again on our way back in. A couple
of small groups and some single Fluttering-type Shearwaters were seen, but none
were close enough to the boat to allow a positive ID to be obtained.
As we headed out towards Browns Mountain, the crowd of Black-broweds grew, as
did Skuas, the latter numbering six at one point. They were joined by several
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross and a single Shy Albatross and sporadic Fairy
Prions were also seen. Throughout the day the Black-broweds were checked to
see if any were Campbells Albatross, but none of the adult birds showed the
distinctive golden eye of the latter species. We encountered a small pod of
Short-beaked Common Dolphins that came to the boat, but only for a short period
and a single Shy Albatross crossed the wake. As we got further out, we
continued to see sporadic single prions, a Shy Albatross put in a better
appearance and the first Providence Petrel of the day was seen. We reached our
destination at about 10:30 and (perhaps not surprisingly given the conditions)
ours was the only vessel there. We started a berley drift for about an hour,
motored back up the slick and did a second drift for a slightly shorter period.
Just after starting the drift, a single Wilsons Storm-petrel was seen, but it
did not stay and was not seen again. We had similar brief views of a Bullers
Albatross and an adult Wandering-type Albatross. (The shortage of experts on
the boat meant it was not narrowed down to type.) More Providence Petrels came
to the boat, as did up to three Great-winged Petrels. The crowd of
Black-broweds had grown to nearly 50 by that time, with a range of plumages
including some very nearly adult birds that showed some black smudging at the
base of the bill but were otherwise in adult-looking plumage. As we commenced
our shorter second drift a second Bullers Albatross flew in – this one was more
inclined to stay with the boat so much better views were obtained. Of interest
was the six of the Silver Gulls that had joined the berley trail had followed
us all the way to Browns Mountain – it is unusual to see them in very deep
water.
As we motored back in, we were followed by several albatross (from 4 species)
and at one point a single Cape Petrel followed the boat for 2 minutes, but it
did not come close (and we had run out of berley by then). We came close to a
pod of Oceanic Bottlenose Dolphin but they were busy hunting and not interested
in the boat. We also saw the blows from some Humpback Whales but they were not
seen well. Even close to shore the swell made following birds and whales far
from straightforward, so looking for penguins outside the heads was a fruitless
task. However, to conclude the trip list, a pair of Little Penguin were seen
just inside the harbour before we got to Watsons Bay.
BIRD LIST
(Note that the number in parentheses represent the approximate maximum
number of that species in view at any one time)
Black-browed Albatross 150 (50)
Shy Albatross 10 (3)
Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross 40 (10)
Wandering Albatross (ssp not known) 1 (1)
Bullers Albatross 2 (1)
Fairy Prion 40 (10)
Providence Petrel 20 (10)
Great-winged Petrel 5 (3)
Cape Petrel 1 (1)
Wilsons Storm-petrel 1 (1)
Fluttering-type Shearwater 20 (6)
Australasian Gannet 50 (10)
Brown Skua 20 (6)
Silver Gull 100 (30)
Greater Crested Tern 8 (4)
OTHER
Short-beaked Common Dolphin 10
Oceanic Bottlenose Dolphin 10
Humpback Whale 2
For details of future Sydney pelagic trips, please visit the website at
http://www.sydneypelagics.info which has details of all trips and contact
details for making bookings.
Cheers
Tom Wilson
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