Three reports: 8th, 21st & 27th July.
See also: Killers off Wollongong!
8th July, 2002 SOSSA PELAGIC RESEARCH TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Report prepared by: P.J. Milburn.
Departed: 08:00 returned at approx. 16:30.
Sea conditions: to 1.0m WNW.
Swell: S 1 to 2m offshore.
Weather: Sunshine throughout the day.
Temperature range: 13.7 to 19.1°C.
Barometric pressure: 1021 HPa, rising.
Wind: WNW 15 at first, dropping to less than 5kts variable in the afternoon.
Sea surface temperature: 15.8 to 19.2°C.
Primary chumming locations: S 34° 29’ – E 151° 10’, 34° 30’ – E 151° 22.
Summary:
A stunning mid-winter dawn, chilly air and cool water, crisp sunshine below an impossibly blue sky and a mob of hungry Black-browed Albatross just outside the breakwater combined to produce an exhilarating start to the day.
At the first strong current line in 25 fathoms of water, we stopped to view a flock of prions and one ANTARCTIC PRION was observed amidst the Fairy Prions. A second congregation of prions was encountered at another current line in 45 fathoms, this flock contained several ANTARCTIC PRIONS and also 2 SLENDER-BILLED PRIONS. Berleying at this location for about an hour we attracted a flock of Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross along with a several Black-browed and Campbell Albatross. A Brown Skua was also present, attracted as much to the feeding prions as by our offerings.
Continuing out to sea, Black-browed numbers dwindled as Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross numbers increased. Our trip out to the continental slope was interrupted yet again, this time by a pod of 12 or so Orcas. The group included an adult male that had singled out a female from the group for special attention. One individual, apparently a female, swam under the boat several times and made a couple of lazy passes at an Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross. It was not apparent if these were serious attempts to seize the bird or merely recreational.
After this heart-punishing interlude, the remainder of the trip seemed mundane by comparison. We did, however, encounter a large group of Short-beaked Common Dolphin wide of the Continental Shelf making serious inroads into a large gathering of Sauries, much to the appreciation of a mob of Australasian Gannets.
The return trip led us through some large groups of foraging Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross that were reminiscent of a seemingly bygone (should that read pre-bycatch?) era.
Highlights:
The encounter with the Orcas will be engraved into the memory of all on board. The mixed prion flocks were as enjoyable as always and, personally, it was great to see large numbers of foraging Indian Yellow-nosed Albatross on our return voyage.
Birds recorded according to the latest Environment Australia Reporting Schedule:
Species code: Species name: Numbers:
(Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)
075 Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma m. macroptera 1
083 Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur 200+ (100+)
084 ANTARCTIC PRION P. desolata 4 (3)
942 Slender-billed Prion P. belcheri 2 (1)
068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 3 (2)
913 Hutton’s Shearwater P. huttoni 1
088 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys 31 (11) mainly inshore
859 Campbell Albatross T. impavida 7 (3)
861 White-capped Albatross T. steadi 2 (1)
864 Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. carteri 180+ (120+)
104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 89 (52)
106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 2 (2)
980 Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi 4 (1)
125 Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae 250+ (50+)
114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 2 (1)
115 Crested Tern S. bergii 4 (2)
In the harbour:
101 Australian Darter Anhinga melanogaster 1 male
106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 2
981 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 1
125 Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae 30+
16 species of seabird identified outside the breakwater.
Mammals:
Orca Orcinus orca 12+
Short-beaked Common Dolphn Delphinus delphis 300+
21st July, 2002 SOSSA PELAGIC RESEARCH TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Report prepared by: P.J. Milburn.
Departed: 08:30 returned at approx. 17:30 EST.
Sea conditions: to 1.0 to 2.0m S.
Swell: S 1.5 to 2m offshore.
Weather: Heavily overcast at first clearing through the day to brilliant winter sunshine.
Temperature range: 10.1 to 17.0°C.
Barometric pressure: 1025 HPa, steady.
Wind: S 10 knots at first, rising to 15 to 20 kts in the afternoon.
Sea surface temperature: 16.3 to 19.5°C.
Primary chumming location: S 34° 39’ – E 151° 09’.
Summary:
A chilly mid-winter day, with leaden skies at first and uncomfortable sea conditions. The skies cleared during the day and we were rewarded with some stunning views of some exciting sub-Antarctic seabirds. As we left the harbour we were treated to views of several Little Penguin and good numbers of mostly adult Black-browed and Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross over the inshore reefs. Continuing out to sea with a side-on swell we passed numerous small flocks of Australasian Gannets and occasional Hutton’s and Fluttering Shearwaters. Fairy Prion numbers were low and the first White-capped Albatross of the day was encountered at the 52 fathom mark.
The routine observations of the morning were sharply punctuated by an adult GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS cruising south in the middle distance. Adults of this species are very uncommon in Wollongong waters and unfortunately not everybody on board had good views of this one.
As the southerly breeze stiffened we swung to a more southerly course to counter the sea. As we punched our way to the continental shelf break we recorded a lone SLENDER-BILLED PRION. Although uncomfortable, we maintained a drift for an hour at the 120 fathom line as a steady stream of interesting species investigated our berley trail, the most notable being a KERGUELEN PETREL.
Our return trip was deviated by a call for assistance from a game-fishing vessel with engine trouble. Whilst this seemed like a rather tedious turn of events, this excursion led us to a number of exciting observations, including a white morph Southern Giant Petrel, another SLENDER-BILLED PRION that gave excellent views, a KERGUELEN PETREL brilliantly illuminated in the afternoon sunshine and most amazingly an adult CHATHAM ALBATROSS.
Highlights:
Adult GREY-HEADED and CHATHAM ALBATROSS starred among a total cast of eight species of albatross. It is always a great treat to see a white Southern Giant-Petrel in brilliant winter sunshine against a deep blue sea. Several KERGUELEN PETREL and SLENDER-BILLED PRION added additional excitement to a memorable winter pelagic trip.
Birds recorded according to the latest Environment Australia Reporting Schedule:
Species code: Species name: Numbers:
(Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)
005 Little Penguin Eudyptula minor 3 (3)
929 Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus 1 dalmatian morph
937 Northern Giant-Petrel M. halli 1
080 Cape Petrel Daption capense australe 3 (2)
075 Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma m. macroptera 2 (1)
971 Solander’s Petrel P. solandri 3 (3)
935 KERGUELEN PETREL Lugensa brevirostris 3 (1)
083 Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur 300+ (200+)
942 SLENDER-BILLED PRION P. belcheri 2 (1)
068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 2 (1)
913 Hutton’s Shearwater P. huttoni 1
847 Gibson’s Albatross Diomedea gibsoni 2 (2)
088 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys 29 (6) mainly inshore
859 Campbell Albatross T. impavida 7 (4)
091 SHY ALBATROSS T. cauta 2 (2) 1 first year, 1 adult
861 White-capped Albatross T. steadi 7 (3)
863 CHATHAM ALBATROSS T. eremita 1 adult
864 Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. carteri 75+ (30+)
090 GREY-HEADED ALBATROSS T. chrysostoma 1 adult
104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 93 (25)
980 Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi 1
125 Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae 145+ (55+)
115 Crested Tern Sterna. bergii 15 (5)
In the harbour:
097 Little Black Cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris 1
106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 3
115 Crested Tern Sterna bergii 2
23 species of seabird identified outside the breakwater.
Mammals:
None.
27th July, 2002 SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
Report prepared by: P.J. Milburn.
Departed: 07:15 returned at approx. 16:00 EST.
Sea conditions: Calm.
Swell: S to 3m offshore.
Weather: Brilliant winter sunshine.
Temperature range: 11.8 to 20.2°C.
Barometric pressure: 1026 HPa, steady.
Wind: calm to 5 kts NW in the afternoon.
Sea surface temperature: 18.0 to 21.1°C.
Primary chumming locations: S 34° 32’ – E 151° 20’, S 34° 32’ – E 151° 24’.
Summary:
A cloak of cold air lay over the ocean; steam rose from the surface and hung in shrouds. As we cleared the breakwater not only the light played tricks but also so did the birds. Our first encounter was with a pod of Short-beaked Common Dolphins. As if driven by their competitive nature, Black-browed Albatross drew our attention from the dolphins almost as soon as we had forgotten our quest for seabirds. From an Antipodean perspective, I often think that Black-browed Albatross are the most underrated albatross. Over a brilliant blue winter ocean, these birds create an incredible spectacle.
In the calm, park-lake like conditions it did not seem incongruous that a Masked Lapwing and a pair of Maned Duck flew past as we proceeded out to sea. A female Gibson’s Albatross soon shattered that illusion and although we should have already been alerted by the presence of a number of Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross. Progressive sightings of a Little Penguin, an Australian Fur-Seal and 3 Southern Hump-backed Whales left no one in any doubt that this was the Southern Ocean on an exceptionally gentle day.
On our trip to the edge of the Continental Shelf we recorded several Fairy Prions and Campbell and White-capped Albatross. Drifting and berleying attracted a Southern Giant-Petrel and a group of six Striped Marlin but no further additional species for the day so we elected to head east into deeper water. We were soon rewarded with views of nominate race Great-winged Petrel, Solander’s Petrel and WHITE-HEADED PETREL.
Further drift and berley sessions added Brown Skua, Cape Petrel and SHY ALBATROSS to our trip list.
During our voyage back to port we enjoyed views of White-fronted Tern, Hutton’s and Fluttering Shearwater.
Highlights:
A WHITE-HEADED PETREL featured among a total of 5 winter petrel species and a first year SHY ALBATROSS led a cast of six species of albatross.
Birds recorded according to the latest Environment Australia Reporting Schedule:
Species code: Species name: Numbers:
(Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)
005 Little Penguin Eudyptula minor 1
929 Southern Giant-Petrel Macronectes giganteus 2 (1)
080 Cape Petrel Daption capense australe 1
075 Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma m. macroptera 1
077 WHITE-HEADED PETREL P. lessonii 1
971 Solander’s Petrel P. solandri 34 (21)
083 Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur 50+ (20+)
068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 10 (4)
913 Hutton’s Shearwater P. huttoni 1
847 Gibson’s Albatross Diomedea gibsoni 8 (3)
088 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys 36 (5)
859 Campbell Albatross T. impavida 8 (3)
091 SHY ALBATROSS T. cauta 1 first year
861 White-capped Albatross T. steadi 2 (1)
864 Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. carteri 54 (15)
104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 43 (21)
980 Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi 1
125 Silver Gull Larus novaehollandiae 178 (53)
114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 3 (2)
115 Crested Tern S. bergii 39 (21)
In the harbour:
981 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 2
20 species of seabird identified outside the breakwater.
Other birds:
133 Maned Duck Chenonetta jubata 2 (2), 1 pair
208 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles novahollandiae 1
Mammals:
None.
