• 28th August 2011 SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.

    Report prepared by: Lindsay E. Smith.

    Departed: 07:15 returned 16:05hrs.
    Sea conditions: 1.0 m. low sea
    Swell: North east to 1.5metres 1.5-2 metres offshore.
    Weather: Overcast during the morning. Clearing mid morning.
    Temperature range: 12-21 °C.
    Barometric pressure: 1010Hp
    Wind: South-west 10 knts
    Sea surface temperature: 18°-20.2°.

    Primary chumming location: 200 Fathoms

    Summary:

    Under the influence of a high pressure system moving along the coast, there were many more birds inshore. Two White-fronted and a Common Tern were observed along with a couple of Australasian Gannets and Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. The “blackwater” of yesterday had disappeared overnight. As we headed out to the Wollongong reef, a few Crested Terns and the occasional Fluttering shearwater, along with one or two Black-browed albatrosses (juveniles) followed in our wake. Conditions for birds was much better, although the early light was difficult to work with. As we approached the Trap reef, albatrosses began appearing in small numbers, mostly Black-browed, along with a White-capped albatross (juvenile) and an adult Shy albatross.

    The Silver gulls were in small flocks. Breeding season on the Five Islands is underway and many Gulls may have remained on the islands.

    At the 75 fathom line we encountered the first prion of the day as it flew down our port side, tentatively listed as a Fairy Prion.

    Crested Tern numbers began also increase. We motored out to 240 fathoms with more birds following. Here we observed the first of very few Solander’s petrels of the day, along with a Great-winged Petrel (macoptera m.) and a White-headed Petrel, which gave great views as they passed close by the boat. Wandering Albatrosses and other birds which had been following a fishing boat came over to investigate what we had to offer.

    The banding team were successful in capturing and tagging a number of albatrosses, including 7 Wandering albatrosses. They also captured and banded 2 Indian Yellow-nosed Albatrosses and a Giant Petrel, giving all on board to see these birds up close!

    Highlights:
    Hump-backed Whales, Common Dolphins. Fur-seals

    Good numbers of Albatrosses including Wandering, shy, yellow-nosed, black browed, along with Great-winged and White-headed Petrel. A very comfortable day on the ocean.

    Many thanks to all who shared the day,
    Thank you for having supported our research.
    We hoped that you enjoyed the birds.
    Cheers Lindsay

    Birds recorded according to the Environment Australia Reporting Schedule:


    Species code: Species name: Numbers:
    (Note: numbers in parenthesis = highest count at any one time)

    029 Northern Giant Petrel Macronectes Halli 1---(1)
    065 White-faced Storm-petrel Pelagodroma marina
    075. Great-winged Petrel Macroptera macoptera. 1 (1)
    077 White-headed Petrel Pterodroma lessoni 1 (1)
    971 Solander’s Petrel Pterodroma solandri 5 (2)
    083 Fairy Prion Pachyptila turtur 1 (1)
    069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus 50+ (30)+
    068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 40+ (20+)
    086 Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans (8) 7 caught & banded—(3 female exulans),
    486 Antipodean Albatross D.antipodensis 1 male (previously banded NZ). Recaptured!
    088 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris 20+ Adults and Juveniles
    859 Campbell Albatross Thalassarche impavida 2 (2)
    091 Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta (1) adult
    861 White-capped Albatross Thalassarche steadi 3 (2) Juveniles
    089 Indian yellow-nosed Albatross Thalassarche carteri 30+ (22) mainly adults few immatures
    104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 10 (4)
    106 Australian Pelican Pelecannus conspicillatus 8 (6) in harbour
    115 Crested Tern Sterna bergi 40+ (23)
    114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 5 (2)
    953 Common Tern Sterna hirundo (1)
    125 Silver Gull Larus noveahollandia 100+ (50+)
    983 Kelp Gull Larus domiminicannus 3 (3)

    22 species sighted outside the harbour

    Also seen were at least 2 Humpack Whales, Common Dolphins, small pod and some Australian Fur Seals.

    For previous trip reports and selected images from this trip visit
    http://www.sossa-international.org

    Future Trips:
    All Pelagic Trips from NSW are operated at no profit to the organizers, being operated as group boat charters for the benefit of all who wish to join us. If you would like to join one of these trips please contact us as detailed below:
    To make a booking on the SOSSA Wollongong Pelagic Trips These departs on the 4th Saturday of each month contact: SOSSA: Phone 02 4272 4626 Email: sossa@tpg.com.au
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