Sydney, NSW Pelagic Trip Report 7th August 1999
Conditions,
Departed at 7.15 am and returned at approx. 3.30 pm.
Sea Conditions: Slight swell to 1 metre.
Weather: Mostly fine and mild.
Wind: Light variable winds ne-sw
Water temperature 18.8 to 19.2 degrees C.
Summary,
A very pleasant and comfortable trip. Calm conditions without the
influence of strong southerly winds producing fewer birds than the
last few weeks. The most unusual ornithological sighting was the
large number of White-headed Petrels. A conservative count involved
57 individuals over a 3 hour period, beyond the continental shelf.
All of which were moving south, no doubt on their way to breeding
grounds on Macquarie Island or other subantarctic islands. This is
(as far as I know) the highest count ever for this species from a
pelagic off the east coast of Australia. It is clear that a regular
pattern is forming as larger numbers than normal were also reported
in August in 1996 and 1997. The low numbers of White-fronted Tern
this year is a worry, particularly as other parts of Australia are
(as I understand it) experiencing the same phenomenon. Does any one
have any theories on where they have gone this year?
Highlights for most on this trip were the cetaceans with fine views
of STRIPED DOLPHIN, BOTTLE-NOSED DOLPHIN, LONG-FINNED PILOT WHALE
and SPERM WHALE.
Those on board,
Steve Anyon-Smith, Jacquie Budd, Annette Burke, Ivan Chapman, John
Dempsey, Penny Drake-Brockman, John Durante, Rod Gardner, David Koffel,
Jann Mullholland, Ross Mullholland, Ted Nickson, Tony Palliser, Brian
Penny, John Reidy, Helen Seaton, Paul Taylor, Edwin Vella, Stewart
White and Tom Wilson.
Birds,
(Note: numbers in brackets = highest count at any one time)
086 Wandering Albatross 15+
847 gibsoni 4 (2)
846 antipodensis 1
--- others 10+ (4)
864 Yellow-nosed Albatross (bassi) 15-20 (7)
091 Shy Albatross (cauta) 5 (2)
088 Black-browed Albatross 25+ (15)
088 melanophrys 20-25 (15)
859 impavida 2 (1)
073 Great-winged Petrel 8 (2)
971 Providence Petrel 40+ (6)
077 WHITE-HEADED PETREL 57 (3)
937 Northern Giant Petrel 1
929 Southern Giant Petrel 2
--- Giant Petrel Sp. 2
984 Cape Petrel 10-15 (6)
083 Fairy Prion 15+ (5)
084 ANTARCTIC PRION 4-5 (2)
942 SLENDER-BILLED PRION 2 (2)
--- Prion Sp 15+
065 White-faced Storm Petrel 10-15 (4)
068 Fluttering Shearwater 15+ (5)
980 Great Skua 2 (1)
104 Australasian Gannet 10+ (3)
125 Silver Gull 100+
981 Kelp Gull 1 (adult in the harbour)
114 White-fronted Tern 1
115 Crested Tern 30+ (15+)
106 Australian Pelican 6 (In the harbour)
Mammals,
Stiped Dolphin 10-20
Long-finned Pilot Whale 10-20
Bottle-nosed Dolphin 15+
Sperm Whale 2
Future Trips,
All Pelagic Trips from NSW are operated at no profit to the organisers
being operated as group boat charters for the benefit of all who wish
to join us.
Sydney Pelagics depart on the 2nd Saturday of each month & Wollongong
Pelagics depart on the 4th Sunday of each month and Eden Pelagics on
the 3rd Sunday of each month. If you would like to join one of these
trips please contact either Tony Palliser or Pete Milburn to
make a booking.
Tony Palliser Ph; 02-99001678 (w), 02-94115272 (h)
http://www.zip.com.au/~palliser
Pete Milburn: Mobile 0416-249 506, 02-6255 1313 Home or 02-62494326
Work.
Eden Pelagics are run on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Bookings to
<> Barbara Jones or Ph (02) 6495 7390.
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