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