• 26th August, 2007 SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

    Report prepared by: P.J. Milburn.

    Departed: 07:15 returned at 16:10.
    Sea conditions: calm all day.
    Swell: E 1.0 to 2.0m offshore.
    Weather: late winter sunshine all day.
    Temperature range: 14.9 to 24.8°C.
    Barometric pressure: 1019 HPa.
    Wind: light and variable.
    Sea surface temperature: 17.9 to 20.7°C.
    Primary chumming location: S 34° 27’ – E 151° 20’.

    Summary:

    A large high-pressure ridge was established southeastern Australia continuing calm conditions and clear skies.

    Calmer even than the previous day, the ocean was reminiscent of a giant fishpond. Albatrosses, Little Penguins and assorted shearwaters were foraging busily over the inshore reefs. The first of many Short-beaked Common Dolphins (warm water form) and an Australian Fur-Seal were also in evidence. A Masked Lapwing 14 nautical miles out to sea was a first for the Wollongong Pelagic Trips but after circling us for a while the bird continued eastwards!

    As soon as we reached the edge of the continental shelf we were rewarded with views of Solander’s and Great-winged Petrels. We set up a drift-and-berley session well over the continental slope and were thrilled by the brief appearance of an adult BULLER’S ALBATROSS. We also lured a Cape Petrel, a WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL and a Brown Skua from the wide blue yonder.

    Our trip back to the harbour was dominated by cetacean sightings comprising Humpback and Antarctic Minke Whales and hundreds of Short-beaked Common Dolphins.

    Highlights:

    A glorious day at sea dominated by frequent sightings of mammals and fish. A delightful drift-and-berley session produced an adult BULLER’S ALBATROSS and a WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL.

    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 7 (1)
    080 Cape Petrel Daption capense australe 1
    075 Great-winged Petrel Pterodroma (m.) macroptera 1
    971 Solander’s Petrel Pterodroma solandri 9 (4)
    068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 35 (17)
    913 Hutton’s Shearwater P. huttoni 60 (30)
    069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater P. pacificus 18 (7)
    847 Gibson’s Albatross Diomedea gibsoni 19 (13)
    088 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophrys 11 (2)
    859 Campbell Albatross T. impavida 3 (2)
    931 BULLER’S ALBATROSS T. bulleri 1 adult
    861 SHY ALBATROSS T. cauta 1
    861 White-capped Albatross T. steadi 3 (1)
    864 Indic Yellow-nosed Albatross T. carteri 18 (5)
    065 WHITE-FACED STORM-PETREL Pelagodroma marina dulciae 1
    104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 4 (1)
    096 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 1
    106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 1
    981 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 4 (3)
    125 Silver Gull L. novaehollandiae 135+ (75+)
    114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 3 (2)
    115 Crested Tern S. bergii 9 (4)

    In the harbour:

    096 Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo 2 (2)
    099 Pied Cormorant P. varius 1
    100 Little Pied Cormorant P. melanoleucos 2 (2)
    106 Australian Pelican Pelicanus conspicillatus 9 (9)

    A total of 22 species of seabird were identified outside the breakwater.

    Other birds observed at sea:

    133 Masked Lapwing Vanellus miles novaehollandiae 1

    Mammals:

    Australian Fur Seal Arctocephalus pusillus doriferus 1
    Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae 5 (3)
    Antarctic Minke Whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis 1
    Short-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus delphis 381 (250)

    Reptiles:

    None

    Fish:

    Frigate Mackerel Auxis thazard numerous
    Skipjack Tuna Katsuwonis pelamis numerous
    Short-tailed Sunfish Mola ramseyi 1
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