• Tuesday, 25th October, SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA

    Tuesday 25th October 2011. SOSSA PELAGIC TRIP, WOLLONGONG, NSW, AUSTRALIA.
    Report prepared by: Lindsay E. Smith.
    American Tour Group “Eagle eye Tours”

    Departed: 0715 hrs.
    Return: 11.30 hrs

    Sea conditions: 1.5m – 2.5m, rising to 3.0-mtrs offshore.
    Current. South- east at 1.5 knots.

    Swell: South east to 2.5metres

    Weather: Scatterd Rain showers, heavy at times

    Temperature range: 13-17 0 °C.

    Barometric pressure: 1020Hp

    Wind: South SW 15 - 20 knots rising.

    Sea surface temperature: 18.6°-21.0°.


    Summary: Conditions at sea were very uncomfortable. Rain and rough seas. We headed south east out of the harbour. The lee of the Five Islands offered protection before heading out to sea. As we approached Flinder’s Isand, we encountered the first of several Hump-backed Whales.

    Pushing on south east into the rising sea we managed to get out to 80 Fathoms. Birds were in large numbers, with shearwaters of several species being most plentiful. Unfortunately conditions became too rough, wet and wild to continue.

    We headed back to the lee of the Five Islands for protection from the rising seas. As we rounded Martin Island, we came in close to observe the colony of Fur-Seals hauled out there. Australian Pelicans were breeding on top of Martin and Big Island. These were also joined by Australian White Ibis nesting on top of the bushes.

    Here we were joined by a small pod of Hump-backed whales, mothers and calves. From here we headed back to the safety of the harbour, much to the relief of a few of the crew.

    Highlights
    Hump-backed whales, close views of the Five Islands and some of its resident birds and Seals

    Birds recorded according to the Environment Australia Reporting Schedule:

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

    069 Wedge-tailed Shearwater Puffinus pacificus 50+ (30)
    068 Fluttering Shearwater Puffinus gavia 40+ (10+)
    913 Hutton’s Shearwater Puffinus huttoni 4 (2)
    069 Short-tailed Shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris 100’s
    070 Sooty Shearwater Puffinus griseus 2 (2)
    080 Cape Petrel Daption c.australe 2 (2)
    089 Black-browed Albatross Thalassarche melanophris 4+ Adults and Juveniles
    859 Campbell Albatross Thalassarche impavida 2
    091 Shy Albatross Thalassarche cauta 1 (1)
    971 Solander’s Petrel pterodroma solanderi 4 (2)
    104 Australasian Gannet Morus serrator 6 (2)
    106 Australian Pelican Pelecannus conspicillatus (6) in harbour
    115 Crested Tern Sterna bergi 20+
    114 White-fronted Tern Sterna striata 6 (4)
    125 Silver Gull Larus noveahollandia 100’s
    981 Kelp Gull Larus dominicanus 3 (2)
    8698 Brown Skua Catharacta lonnbergi 2 (1)
    945 Pomarine Jaeger Stercorarius 3

    Mammals
    Common Dolphin
    Bottle-nosed Dolphin
    Australian and New Zealand Fur-Seals
    Hump-backed Whales
    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 regular SOSSA Wollongong Pelagic Trips. Which departs on the 4th Saturday of each month. Contact: SOSSA: Phone 02 4272 4626 Email: sossa@tpg.com.au For further information in regards to other trips.
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